Pickleball Takes Over Brandon: The City of Brandon is excited to open a major development that will bring state-of-the-art indoor pickleball courts to the heart of the city. This new facility, a result of a groundbreaking partnership with Wheat City Tennis and Pickleball Hub, represents a significant step in the city’s ongoing efforts to enhance recreational offerings and improve community well-being.
A Strategic Investment in the Community
The new indoor sports facility will be built on formerly city-owned land at 1411, 1305, and 1201 Pacific Avenue. The land was sold to Wheat City Tennis and Pickleball Hub for $1, with the purpose of creating an innovative indoor recreation center in downtown Brandon.
The 35,000-square-foot facility will feature 14 pickleball courts, or 6 pickleball courts alongside 2 tennis courts. This project is part of Brandon’s broader vision to revitalize its downtown area while providing residents with world-class recreational spaces.
The City of Brandon has designated the project site as a community revitalization property. This includes not only the land sale but also a 10-year, 100% incremental municipal tax reduction.
The project aligns with the Downtown Secondary Plan and the Recreation Master Plan, which emphasize the importance of accessible recreation to foster a healthy, active community.
Voices of Excitement and Support
Mayor Jeff Fawcett expressed his enthusiasm, stating,
“This partnership is a shining example of how we can work together to enhance our community. The new indoor pickleball courts will provide a state-of-the-art recreational outlet for our residents and attract visitors to our downtown area, boosting local businesses and fostering a sense of community.” – (Jeff Fawcett)
Phil Greenwood, a partner in the Wheat City Tennis and Pickleball Hub, echoed this excitement. Having already operated successful pickleball facilities in Regina and Saskatoon, he explained,
“I’m very pleased and excited to bring this facility to Brandon. Regina and Saskatoon are remodels, where Brandon is designed specifically from the ground up, giving it the best traits from the many venues I’ve played at in North America. This will be a very positive improvement to both the city and the fast-growing pickleball community.” – (Phil Greenwood)
Local builder and partner in the project, Mr. Schultz, added his connection to the sport, sharing,
“As an avid pickleball player and a local builder, I was excited to jump in with both feet to be a part of this project. Pickleball has been a favourite sport of mine since I first played with my father in Saskatoon at one of the facilities started by Phil Greenwood. Now, my wife and our 4- and 6-year-old children play the sport whenever we get the chance. It is exciting to be a part of this project that is going to help re-shape the landscape of Brandon’s downtown to help growth of pickleball in the Brandon area.” – (Mr. Schultz)
Economic Impact and Future Projections
The new facility is expected to draw substantial foot traffic, with projections estimating 12,000 visitors in the first year and up to 60,000 by the tenth year. This influx will benefit local businesses and contribute to the economic growth of Brandon’s downtown area.
Emmanuel Ahaneku, Executive Director of the Brandon Downtown Development Corporation, believes the project aligns perfectly with the city’s vision for downtown.
“This facility has the potential to spur increased pedestrian presence and overall economic activity in the downtown and Brandon in general. As an organization mandated to drive the revitalization of downtown Brandon, we see the alignment of this project with the Downtown Brandon Secondary Plan. This investment can simultaneously increase home values in the downtown neighborhood, generate more sales for local businesses, and attract new jobs and employees.” – (Emmanuel Ahaneku)
Emmy Sanderson, Executive Director of the Brandon Downtown BIZ, also shared her excitement, stating,
“This indoor sports facility is fantastic on multiple fronts. For the local pickleball and tennis community it will be a huge boon to have a dedicated indoor space for our long winters. For all residents, it’s an increased opportunity for winter sports; and for downtown Brandon it is a fresh project to utilize an undeveloped space into something beneficial for so many. The BIZ is excited for the project and looks forward to continuing collaborations with the Wheat City Tennis and Pickleball Hub.” – (Emmy Sanderson)
Construction and Opening Plans
Construction of the facility is set to begin soon, with the opening targeted for Fall 2025, weather permitting. The City of Brandon and Wheat City Tennis and Pickleball Hub look forward to the grand opening of this landmark project, which will soon offer the community a new hub for indoor pickleball activities.
News in Brief: Pickleball Takes Over Brandon
Brandon is set to welcome a new indoor pickleball facility as part of a partnership with Wheat City Tennis and Pickleball Hub. The 35,000-square-foot facility will feature 14 pickleball courts, with construction set to begin soon.
Expected to open by Fall 2025, the project is part of a broader initiative to revitalize downtown Brandon and will offer significant economic benefits, including increased foot traffic for local businesses. The facility is projected to attract up to 60,000 visitors by its tenth year, providing a major boost to the community.