At their regular meeting on October 10, Okotoks Town Council approved the site selection of a new pickleball and tennis facility to be located on 5.45 acres at 10 Chinook Arch Way. This location is suited to offer a combination of indoor and outdoor courts and is bordered by schools to the west and east, with an anticipated future school to the south and multi-family and commercial development to the north.
The operation of a dedicated pickleball and tennis facility brings many economic and social well-being benefits to the community. The new facility will provide a mix of free, low cost, and paid recreation opportunities, as well as serve as a gathering place for residents. It will also have the capacity to host provincial, and international tournaments, drawing significant economic benefits to the local economy. Proposed facility design will include barrier free access and accommodations for para-sport participants that are physically capable, using equipment and modified rules that make a given sport accessible and fun. As part of the Town’s commitment to enhancing community health, the 10K in 5 program will be used to target 10,000 school age youth to receive professional instruction over five consecutive years, which further adds to the benefits of having the site located close to schools.
The completed project is to be operated by others as a not-for-profit facility. The Town’s contribution to the facility is approved at $2 million, however the anticipated total project cost is approximately $8 million (excluding servicing), the difference of which is to be funded through a combination of partnerships, grants, and donations.
Next steps include developing a phasing plan, likely seeing the development of outdoor courts in phase one, followed by a second phase of indoor court development. Phase one of the project may occur as soon as 2024 provided that appropriate permits are obtained.
For more information, please contact Christa Michailuck, Parks & Recreation Director at 403.938.8908