The Township of North Huron held a grand reopening for its tennis and pickleball courts at F.E. Madill Thursday morning.
The project to revitalize the courts has been in the works for around three years and involved numerous community groups, including a generous grant from the Vance Foundation.
Francene Francis, Asset Management Coordinator for the Township, explained how it came together.
"Our previous Director of Recreation, she applied for a previous iteration of the Vance funds, so that really got the ball rolling for us to get this project going forward," she said. "Then we partnered with some members from the Tennis and Pickleball committee and they really told us their vision for this place because they're the ones using it every week, if not every day."
The Vance Foundation provided $60,000 toward the resurfacing of the old asphalt courts with a new plexipave coating, and the Township covered the rest.
Not only will the new court put less stress on the joints of tennis players, it also offers the first permanent outdoor pickleball courts in Wingham.
Francis said providing space for the growing sport enhances the recreation opportunities for residents so they don't need to drive to neighbouring communities.
"We want to make Wingham and North Huron a thriving community and up with the trends. We have a scattered population so we're trying to cater to everyone as much as we can," she said. "We really want to concentrate our talents to what we have: we have the space, we have the agreements in place so why not revitalize the space? Why not make our community better?"
The courts have been open for about two weeks, and are already busy, including several Phys Ed classes from F.E. Madill using the space.
Principal Katie Wilson says the new courts, which are on Avon Maitland District School Board grounds, will be a recreation home for all.
"It's been wonderful to see this come to fruition finally and really see the community come together," she said. "As a pickleball player myself, I'm very happy that we now have an outdoor space to play in. Between our students and the community all coming out to use it, it's been wonderful."
However, the Township is asking that one group avoid the space: dog owners. After several reports of residents using the new fenced-in area for off-leash play, the Township is asking that people keep their dogs off, so the new surface doesn't get ruined.
