The Town of Newmarket plans to chart a new course for tennis and pickleball in the community and wants your feedback.
The town is hosting two public information centres to share advancements coming for the two sports. The first session will concern tennis and a new facility under construction in the town, and the second will be regarding the future of pickleball.
“Over the past few years, there has been a significant growth in the sports of tennis and pickleball,” the municipality said in a news release, adding that the sessions will “ensure the town can continue to support its tennis and pickleball community.”
The two sports are facing different facility-based issues. The tennis community is set to lose its downtown tennis court to make way for parking, to be replaced by a new court under construction at Bennington Road. Meanwhile, some local pickleball enthusiasts have expressed a desire for more facilities than the existing six.
The new tennis facility has come about after an agreement was made with the Shining Hill developer. The town said that participants for the tennis public information centre Jan. 30 would see renderings of the new tennis facility and clubhouse.
“This project is well underway, and the town is excited to present the facility renderings to the community, as well as gather feedback,” the municipality said.
The town currently has 21 tennis courts.
The pickleball information centre Jan. 31 will discuss the future of the sport in the community and what residents would like to see for it.
“Feedback gathered from both public information centres will help the town formulate seasonal operating models and strategies in order to support pickleball and tennis players in Newmarket,” the town said.
Staff will report back to council on the feedback in March.
The tennis information centre will be in person Jan. 30 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., with the formal presentation starting at 7 p.m. It will be at the council chambers at the office at 395 Mulock Dr.
The pickleball information centre will be at the same place, but on the next day, Jan. 31. It will also run from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. with the presentation starting at 7.
The town said those who cannot attend the sessions are encouraged to visit online engagement pages to provide input until Feb. 17. Information from the meetings will also be put on the pages.
The page for tennis is heynewmarket.ca/tennis. The page for pickleball is heynewmarket.ca/pickleball.
