Local pickleball players will soon have courts to enjoy in Amherstburg.
Ground has been broken for the new pickleball courts at the Libro Centre.
Located on a grass area between the paved parking lot and the gravel parking lot just south of Bruno Casanova Way, the official groundbreaking ceremony was held last Tuesday morning. Members of town council, administration, the Amherstburg Pickleball Association (APA) and the Jones Group Ltd. took part in the ceremony.
Amherstburg Mayor Michael Prue said the APA works hard to get what they want.
“This organization is very in your face,” said Prue. “We know at council meetings when they show up to advocate. They do a great job at that.”
Prue not only acknowledged that the pickleball players have been persistent in advocating for the eight pickleball-specific courts, but they are actively raising money for them as well.
“We need you to keep doing that,” Prue told the APA members.
The Jones Group won the bid to construct the eight new pickleball courts and it will cost $476,815.11 net HST, including contingency. The town currently does not have any courts dedicated specifically for pickleball-only.
The new courts are expected to be ready by late fall 2024, if the weather co-operates.
“That’s really amazing,” Prue said of the timeline.
The new courts will be for the entire community, not just the APA.
“We’re thrilled to move forward with this project and see these courts become part of the Libro Centre’s hub for sports and recreation in Amherstburg,” said Prue. “Pickleball has grown tremendously and these courts will give everyone in the community a place to play and stay active.”
APA member Tim Rousseau greeted the group on behalf of president Richard White.
Rousseau called it “truly an exciting time in Amherstburg” and thanked town council and administration “for listening to the voices we brought and the suggestions we had.”
Rousseau said the new courts are the first step and the group will be able to show something to potential donors and sponsors.
“We’ll work hard and we’ll get more sponsors,” he said.
The new courts are part of a “health and wellness facility that can be enjoyed by anyone,” Rousseau added.
“It’s been a long time coming,” added director of parks, facilities and recreation Heidi Baillargeon.
Baillargeon thanked her colleagues in administration for helping to prepare the tender documents and she thanked town council as well. She also expressed gratitude to the APA for its work on the project.
Amherstburg breaks ground on new pickleball courts at Libro Centre
By Ron Giofu
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