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Home My WebLink AboutENG 16-23 Report to Executive Committee Report Number: ENG 16-23 Date: December 4, 2023 From: Richard Holborn Director, Engineering Services Subject: Dedicated Outdoor Pickleball Court Options – South Pickering - File: A-1440 Recommendation: 1. That Report ENG 16-23 regarding dedicated outdoor pickleball court options in South Pickering be received; 2. That staff be directed to continue discussions with the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority with respect to possible arrangements for a dedicated pickleball facility in the Petticoat Creek Conservation Park; 3. That staff be directed to continue the investigation of a potential site for a dedicated outdoor pickleball facility within South Pickering through the Recreation and Parks Master Plan update, and to continue dialogue with the 1st Pickering Pickleball Club regarding site selection and facility design; and, 4. That the appropriate officials of the City of Pickering be authorized to take the necessary actions as indicated in this report. Executive Summary: Over the past few years, the sport of pickleball has become increasingly popular and demand for court time has far exceeded the facilities available within the City of Pickering. The 1st Pickering Pickleball Club have requested that the City construct a dedicated outdoor facility in South Pickering. At the June 26, 2023 Council meeting, Resolution #236/23 was passed, directing staff to investigate three park locations as possible options for the construction of eight pickleball courts. The locations suggested were Alex Robertson Park, Diana, Princess of Wales Park, and Petticoat Creek Conservation Park (PCCP). Of the locations suggested, PCCP may be the only viable option, pending further discussions with the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) on a long-term lease or management agreement arrangement for City use of the park space. Staff have also investigated the possibility of locating the outdoor pickleball facility in Village East Park, which is adjacent to Diana, Princess of Wales Park as an alternate optional site. Further investigation into both locations is required, and staff recommend that this be conducted through the Recreation and Parks Master Plan update process. ENG 16-23 December 4, 2023 Subject: Dedicated Outdoor Pickleball Court Options – South Pickering Page 2 Financial Implications: There are no financial implications at this time. The plan for community and stakeholder consultation is to include this in the Recreation and Parks Master Plan process with no additional cost. Funds will be included in the 2025 Parks Capital budget request for council consideration, to be used for the construction of a pickleball facility, at a location to still be determined. Discussion: Over the past few years, the sport of pickleball has become increasingly popular and demand for court time has far exceeded the facilities available within the City of Pickering. Currently the City has the following outdoor pickleball courts available to the public: • one court in Amberlea Park; • four courts shared with tennis in Claremont Memorial Park; • one court shared with the basketball facility in Rick Hull Memorial Park; and, • two courts shared with tennis in Village East Park. There are plans to construct shared multi-use courts in Beechlawn Park and in the future village green on Four Seasons Lane in Duffin Heights that would accommodate two pickleball courts in each. The design drawings for a four court shared facility at the Amberlea Tennis Club in Shadybrook Park are currently being completed for tender, and four dedicated pickleball courts are also being proposed in the Dave Ryan Community Park that is to be constructed at Mulberry Lane and Alexander Knox Drive in Seaton. The 1st Pickering Pickleball Club have requested that the City construct an outdoor facility dedicated for pickleball in South Pickering. At the June 26, 2023 Council meeting, Resolution #236/23 was passed, directing staff to investigate three park locations as possible options for the construction of eight pickleball courts: Alex Robertson Park, Diana, Princess of Wales Park, and PCCP. Alex Robertson Park is under the ownership of Ontario Power Generation (OPG). The park has been the site of significant OPG restoration projects and numerous land stewardship activities. Other than the cricket pitch which is entirely turf, and a gravel parking area, this passive park has a very natural setting. OPG staff have advised that they are not supportive of the construction of pickleball courts at this location as it would impact the natural environment and ecosystems within the site. Diana, Princess of Wales Park is located entirely within a hydro corridor, under Infrastructure Ontario ownership, and control of Hydro One Networks Inc. (HONI). Recent correspondence with HONI has indicated that they will no longer accept the construction of permanent structures and inclusion of conductive (metallic) materials within the corridor. Existing site features within Diana, Princess of Wales Park would no longer be approved for construction under the current technical considerations for secondary land use proposals on Hydro One transmission corridors. Structures include features such as the fencing that would be required around and between the pickleball courts. As such, this park cannot be considered for the construction of an outdoor pickleball facility. ENG 16-23 December 4, 2023 Subject: Dedicated Outdoor Pickleball Court Options – South Pickering Page 3 PCCP is regulated and under ownership of the TRCA. The City is currently investigating the possibility of entering into a long-term lease or management agreement with TRCA, to take over the management and programming of this park space. Initial discussions with TRCA staff indicate that pickleball may be considered a suitable use for this site, however, further investigations and discussions with Senior Planning staff from the TRCA will be required prior to confirmation. Staff have also investigated the possibility of locating the eight court pickleball facility on the west side of Village East Park which is located adjacent to Diana, Princess of Wales Park. The park is serviced by a gravel parking area and currently has three soccer pitches, two public tennis courts that were recently relined to share with pickleball, and a children’s playground area. One soccer pitch would need to be removed to provide adequate space for the pickleball courts, and the programming of the soccer pitch would need to be moved to another park. The City is currently updating the Recreation and Parks Master Plan, anticipated to be completed by June 2024. The Master Plan document will also better inform staff of the anticipated ultimate needs for pickleball courts City wide. Staff recommend further investigation and analysis of a location for a dedicated outdoor pickleball facility be conducted through the Recreation and Parks Master Plan update process. Resolution #236/23 directed staff to have consideration for design and construction during the 2024 Capital budget process, however, staff are of the opinion that a 2024 timeline is premature due to the ongoing status of investigations/studies. Staff will be recommending design and construction in 2025 and has included this request in the 2025 Capital Forecast. Attachments: 1. Directive Memorandum for Resolution #236/23, dated June 30, 2023 Prepared By: Approved/Endorsed By: Arnold Mostert, OALA Richard Holborn, P. Eng. Manager, Landscape & Parks Development Director, Engineering Services AM:mjh ENG 16-23 December 4, 2023 Subject: Dedicated Outdoor Pickleball Court Options – South Pickering Page 4 Recommended for the consideration of Pickering City Council Marisa Carpino, M.A. Chief Administrative Officer Legislative Services Division Clerk’s Office Directive Memorandum June 30, 2023 To: Richard Holborn Director, Engineering Services From: Susan Cassel City Clerk Subject: Direction as per Minutes of the Meeting of City Council held on June 26, 2023 Outdoor Pickleball Options – South Pickering Council Decision Resolution #236/23 Please take any action deemed necessary. Susan Cassel Copy: Chief Administrative Officer WHEREAS, Pickleball is one of the fastest growing sport in North America; And Whereas, although future parks in Central Pickering will ensure the availability of outdoor facilities for Pickleball, there is an urgent need to find available outdoor space to accommodate current needs which has outpaced available courts; And Whereas, 1st Pickering Pickleball Club has taken on a lead role organizing Pickleball in the City of Pickering; Now therefore be it resolved, that the Council of The Corporation of the City of Pickering recognizes the need to locate space and construct Pickering’s first dedicated outdoor Pickleball court in South Pickering and directs staff through the Office of the CAO to work with 1st Pickering Pickleball Club to: 1.Investigate the following 3 locations as possible options for the construction of 8 Pickleball courts (equivalent to the space required for 2 tennis courts): (a)Alex Robertson Park; (b)Diana Princess of Wales Park; and, (c)Petticoat Creek Conservation Park; and, 2.Report back to Council in Q4 2023 on the recommended option, including a work plan for Community/Stakeholder engagement, that will enable engagement, design and construction to be considered during the 2024 Capital Budget process. Attachment #1 to Report ENG 16-23