Tennis and pickleball groups are taking a swing at Halifax City Hall for putting the breaks on two proposed court projects. Council members on the Community Planning and Economic Development Standing Committee voted to delay the building of a proposed pickleball facility in Dartmouth and new tennis courts at Gorsebrook Park. The Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) has identified two locations that could see at least eight courts built which includes Maybank Park and Dartmouth Harbour East Recreation Campus. The staff report suggests it would cost around $2 million to complete but despite user groups expressing a need for more places to play, the financial reality is that the city can’t afford to build any new court facilities right now said Councillor Tony Mancini, suggesting they only have money in the budget to maintain the existing courts. Meanwhile pickleball groups say HRM is falling behind the growing demand for courts and that’s despite the staff report showing there are 80 courts across HRM. Pickleball players debate that number, saying most court are painted line on tennis courts and that doesn’t mean official standards for play. “I can understand the decision from the point of view of them saying there’s nothing in the capital budget, but I think they underestimated the shortage of courts in Halifax itself,” said Liza Bristow, chair of the Halifax Pickleball Club. Pickleball Nova Scotia executive board member Marita Winaut says the decision to pause any future development is disappointing given the growth of the sport, particularly among young players. “It’s really unfortunate because pickleball is such a growing sport and we really haven’t even tapped into the youth,” said Winaut. “And we can’t tap into the youth until we have the structures and facilities in order.” The concerns aren’t limited to pickleball, as tennis players are also calling for more public courts. HeadStart Tennis is looking to bring an indoor tennis facility to Halifax’s south end at Gorsebrook Park. They have funding through Tennis Canada and other sponsors to build a winterized dome to extend the tennis season into the winter months. They are asking HRM to build three new courts at the park and they’ll maintain it. HeadStart Tennis operate a similar facility already in Clayton Park that’s been in operation for more than 30 years. “The tennis community is kind of maxed out,” said Jamie Power, co-owner of HeadStart Tennis. “Our infrastructure right now, especially the indoor infrastructure.” HeadStart has the funding in place for the tennis dome and Power says they can’t wait any longer, suggesting it will hurt the sport at the grassroots level. “We’re going to do everything we can to make that happen because it really needs to happen,” said Power. “We just don’t want to be stunted in the growth of our sport.” Power and HeadStart Tennis started an online petition calling on HRM to move quickly and a prioritize the building of a new tennis facility in the south end in next years budget. Power said he’s looking to other levels of government for any financial support they can provide to make it happen. For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
