No adequate space for year-round, drop-in pickleball
Christian Gammon-Roy
Tribune
Pickleball players in West Nipissing were disheartened following the July 14 municipal council meeting, where a majority of members voted against a proposal to have the town offer a pickleball program. Ward 7 councillor Fernand Pellerin brought the idea forward and offered it as a way to expand pickleball opportunities in the community, giving residents a drop-in option like with the municipal pool or weight room at the Sturgeon Falls recreation complex. Other councillors argued that West Nipissing has a pickleball organisation already, and that residents should join it if they are interested in playing the sport.
Pellerin’s proposal was accompanied by a staff report which outlined how neighbouring municipalities were able to offer pickleball either through municipal programs like Pellerin was suggesting, and through private facilities. Sign up and rental fees were included in the report, including information from Temiskaming Shores, North Bay, Sudbury, Markstay-Warren and St. Charles. Only Sudbury and Temiskaming Shores offer a municipal program, with Sudbury providing the most comprehensive programming, and Temiskaming Shores only having their program during the winter months.
Pellerin argued that West Nipissing could accommodate a municipal program, offering it in facilities that are already there, and staffed. He also suggested that pickleball shouldn’t be treated like hockey, where reserving ice-time is necessary, opining that the drop-in model would work. Councillor Rolly Larabie agreed with the proposal, pointing out that pickleball attracts mostly retirement-aged residents, people who have contributed to local taxes and “who have paid their dues” in his estimation.
However, other councillors disagreed, with Ward 2 councillor Roch St-Louis unconvinced that the municipality should take on the responsibility when there is already an organisation dedicated to the sport. Councillors Dan Gagné and Kris Rivard echoed the sentiment.