A new beach volleyball facility is being constructed in Chatham-Kent (CK).
The Chatham Beach Volleyball space will feature five full-size courts and one feature court.
"Growing up here, I saw firsthand how much talent this town produces," said Pierce Johnson, a former professional athlete and co-founder of the Chatham Beach Volleyball. "By providing Olympic-standard courts and professional equipment, we are finally giving our local athletes the home-court advantage they deserve."
When discussing the Olympic-standard, the key ingredient is the sand.
"The sand is designed specifically for beach volleyball play," said Chris Knapton, who works in volleyball sales at Hutcheson Sand and Mixes. "It's a washed granite base sand, and it's specked for Olympic quality playing."
Knapton added that the sand is being transported from Huntsville, and the facility will be using 2,200 tons of sand.
The site is currently under construction, but it's expected that it will be completed by next week.
"It's nice to have something of such high standards and quality here in Chatham," Director of Chatham Beach Volleyball Tyler McKaig added. "You always hear about the bigger cities getting these types of facilities. We're proud to do it here."
The new facility is being promoted as a beach volleyball club for all skill levels, offering adult leagues, youth competitive and development programs, an elite athlete program, and tournament availability.
"This court will bring a lot more people to Chatham, now that we can host Ontario Volleyball Association tournaments," CK Mayor Darrin Canniff remarked, noting that previously players from CK had to commute to Grand Bend to participate.
The new facility comes after council approved a parcel between the Chatham courthouse and the YMCA in Chatham.
To celebrate the facility, the club will host an open house from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on May 23 at the site located on Courthouse Lane.
