Winnipeg residents sounding alarm over proposed pickleball courts

Residents of a Winnipeg neighbourhood are speaking out about a potential development near their park, including concerns about a pickleball court. Joseph Bernac

Members of the Henteleff Park Foundation are raising the alarm over a potential zoning amendment proposal that could see a new four-story building with pickleball courts take shape next to the quiet south St. Vital park.

“Can you imagine trying to sit in your backyard, in your house, or to sit on a bench—there’s a bench just over here and in the park—and to hear the constant ‘tick, tick, tick’ of the pickleball courts?” said Terri Ashcroft, board member of the Henteleff Park Foundation.

As she looked out from her backyard, Ashcroft said she is worried about noise close to her Normand Park doorstep. Her backyard on Portside Drive overlooks Henteleff Park.

Once part of the Henteleff family farm, the 30-acre park stretches from St. Mary’s Road to the Red River. Ashcroft said the park has become an oasis of tranquility set against the backdrop of more and more residential developments.

“This is a place where people go for walks, for peace and quiet,” Ashcroft said.

Now a proposed zoning amendment to an existing development from Progressive Real Estate Group could stand in the way of that quiet space.

Ashcroft said the property developers are asking for amendments that would change their original plans for townhouses into a four-storey apartment building with pickleball courts.

The existing Parkview Terrace to the south of the park was built in 2018. She said the pickleball courts should be shelved in favour of nature.

“It would be devastating if you can see how close we are to homes,” Ashcroft said.

“We’ve got lots of wildlife here, and it would completely change the nature of the park.”

John Borody has been coming to Henteleff Park for years. He is currently the board chair for the Henteleff Park Foundation.

While he said he wants this space to be used by more people - he pointed to privacy concerns if more infill continues to surround the park.

“We want to be able to maintain that atmosphere, that quiet, that oasis, that feeling that you can get away and meditate in the area, and when you have a lot of big buildings around, that’s difficult,” Borody said.

CTV News Winnipeg reached out to Progressive Real Estate Group about the concerns from area residents.

Geoff Milnes, president of Progressive Real Estate Group, confirmed they have heard concerns from area residents about the proposed pickleball courts.

“This was meant to be a placeholder over the previous children’s playground that was originally intended for that location,” Milnes said.

“As our building of 300+ residents has only a few children at present and the neighbourhood has adjacent playgrounds, we thought this would be a great amenity for the community at large to use. We are open to suggestions from neighbors on a different use, versus pickleball, or tennis courts.”

Milnes said their new design, while different from what was approved by city council in 2018, is meant to enhance community connections and preserve trees on-site while maintaining maximum privacy for all community members.

“We have thus far, in our phased development, been extremely sensitive and respectful to Henteleff Park and will continue to do so in the future.”

Marcus Chambers, city councillor for the St. Norbert–Seine River ward, said the proposed zoning amendments will be considered by the Riel Community Committee on January 7.

Chambers said the original decision from city council to support the development was greenlit because residents were in favour of the plan for townhouses.

Now he said he’s not sure why the change in proposal has been made to expand to apartments, with the pickleball courts as an added structure.

While he said he’s not sharing his voting intention yet – Chambers said he understands residents’ wishes for the area.

“I want to make sure that stays in place, that this remains a passive park, and that there is quiet enjoyment for the surrounding residents,” Chambers said.

Chambers previously served on the board for the Henteleff Park Foundation.

Ashcroft said other cities across Canada, including Halifax, Calgary and Ottawa, have closed pickleball facilities based on their proximity to residential areas. It’s unclear whether or not these courts will be built at this time. The developer said they plan to explain further at the public hearing.