Sports

Interest in outdoor pickleball declines in Beeton, clubs move to indoor play

July 3, 2025   ·   0 Comments

By Brian Lockhart

A pilot project to have pickleball at the tennis courts in Beeton initially experienced enthusiasm from pickleball groups, however, waning interest and a preferred indoor location by the group may mean pickleball access will be discontinued at the Beeton courts.

A report presented to New Tecumseth Council provided the findings and recommendations from the pilot project period.

During the pilot project, a pickleball group booked the Beeton Tennis Courts every Tuesday and Thursday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., from Aug. 27 to Sept. 26, 2024. The pilot project was well attended and appreciated by league members.

The group was offered the opportunity to continue the pilot program in spring 2025, but declined, as they were no longer interested in facilitating league play.

Another group initially expressed interest but ultimately chose not to participate. No other groups have come forward expressing an interest in the project.

There was an apparent shift in interest toward indoor facilities to play the sport.

The report indicates that indoor spaces for pickleball may be better suited to year-round, climate-controlled play, rather than seasonal outdoor courts.

An important consideration for the pilot project was the limited public access to tennis courts in Alliston and Tottenham.

Tennis courts in those communities are currently managed by partner organizations – the Alliston Tennis Club and the Tottenham Tennis Club. These Clubs may restrict availability for non-members.

As a result, residents who are not affiliated with these clubs could face barriers when trying to participate in racket sports.

The Town permits other recreational spaces like baseball diamonds and soccer fields for organized group use. These facilities support structured programming and rentals, offering broader community access.

However, the unique management structure of tennis and pickleball courts presents a challenge for equitable access.

To find a solution, Town staff is including targeted questions on pickleball and court access in the upcoming Recreation and Culture Master Plan review.

This engagement will ask for resident input on facility availability, demand for pickleball, and broader recreational access.

Responses from the public may help inform future recommendations on pickleball infrastructure and court accessibility.

The estimated financial impact of either continuing or discontinuing the pilot project is minimal. 

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