SPC says no to additional funding for pickleball courts

The sport of pickleball has recently seen a rise in popularity in Alberta. Members of the Lethbridge Economic SPC, however, voted against a request by city administration 8-1 on Wednesday to provide an additional $300,000 for new pickleball courts in our city from the Federal Gas Tax Fund.

In 2021, council approved $650,000 to upgrade the existing pickleball courts at Legacy Park. Councillor Ryan Parker was the only one to vote in favour of the funding request. Councillor John Middleton-Hope provided his reasoning for voting against the motion.

“There is no indication from the group that we have tournaments on the horizon that are going to necessitate this increase in additional courts at this particular point in time that would generate additional revenue. So I would be in favor, certainly, of asking them to come back when they can confirm the use has exceeded the new courts that they’ll have. And then we can look at that time funding for refurbishing the existing courts.”

City officials said that 12 courts are needed to be able to host local and provincial tournaments. Up to 16 would be needed to host bigger events for the sport.