The expansion of pickleball courts in Chatham and a deal for tourism bikes across Chatham-Kent have been put on hold for now.
A report going before Councillors on Monday evening says administration doesn't anticipate an opportunity to construct new pickleball courts through the 2023 capital budget process because of the many existing infrastructure priorities. However, the Manager of Parks and Recreation Ian Clark said it continues working with the Chatham-Kent Pickleball Club on a multi-court hub in Chatham and trying to find ways to move forward on other developments.
"Business case evaluations will be initiated according to three more likely scenarios: a local group approaches the Municipality regarding a partnership to construct a new court; a municipal tennis or basketball court is identified for lifecycle replacement and there is an opportunity to include pickleball court lines in the project; and a grant is received for new pickleball court construction from a third party," read the report authored by Clark.
In November, two Chatham courts were removed from a tender to build several courts across the Municipality, but the courts in Blenheim, Dresden, Tilbury, and Wallaceburg are going ahead as planned with funding from the Ontario Trillium Foundation’s Community Building Grant.
The Chatham-Kent Pickleball Club was then authorized to fundraise for a pickleball hub with a location in Chatham to be finalized.
"We are bursting at the seams with pickleball activity," said the Pickleball Club. "Need solutions with limited court availability for our members!!"
Meanwhile, a rental pilot project for tourism bikes in Chatham-Kent to start this Spring is also on hold after a deal fell through with a proponent.
Tourism Development Coordinator Andrea McCulligh said Chatham-Kent Tourism staff engaged in discussions with Demon Electric/RYDE regarding the installation of up to six RYDE e-bike charging stations throughout the Municipality, but talks suddenly stopped and a draft contract was not received.
"On August 8, 2022, phone and email communications between the municipal tourism team and Demon Electric/RYDE commenced. There was agreement that a draft contract would be provided to the municipality by October 7, 2022. Despite the best efforts of the municipal tourism team to maintain communication with the company, a draft contract has not been received and connections to local businesses have not been made. Discussions with the company have therefore ceased," read the report.
McCulligh said a tourism-oriented bike rental project may be re-examined in the future, if new information or opportunities arise.
