It’s been almost a decade since Moose Jaw’s tennis courts were last restored, and after nine winter cycles, the tennis club has asked city council for support to renovate the infrastructure.
During the May 25 regular meeting, council voted 6-1 to have the parks and recreation department prioritize court repairs in the 2022 to 2026 capital budget with dedicated funding. The department does not have money for the courts in its five-year capital plan.
Coun. Kim Robinson was opposed.
The Moose Jaw Tennis Club expects upgrades to cost over $120,000 and has proposed a 50-50 costing sharing agreement. This is the same agreement the two entities agreed to during the last resurfacing project in 2012. That $151,000 project involved capping the entire surface, adding a colour finish coat and repainting the lines.
The Moose Jaw Tennis Club is the longest established club in Saskatchewan, after being created around 1911.
Courts falling apart
The tennis courts have experienced major cracking since the last rehabilitation, so the club recommends Plexipave restoration, which would increase the courts’ longevity by 10 years and cost less than an asphalt overlay, a council report explained.
Parks and recreation does not recommend another asphalt overlay due to age and suggests the courts receive a full rebuild in 10 years for $300,000 to $400,000.
Based on the proposed cost-sharing agreement, the department will budget $70,000 in 2022.
Presentation
“The time has come around that we need some money put into our tennis courts, especially after the last two winters, (since) the courts have deteriorated quite rapidly,” club spokesman Scott Evans told council.
City hall has participated in cost-sharing projects with the club since at least the 1970s, while the club has generated its share via fundraising, selling memberships, and drop-in fees, and wants to continue to provide this service, he continued.
The club — which has 140 members — had estimated that repairs would be $135,000, but since fixes include filling cracks in asphalt, the situation can go sideways rapidly and lead to increased costs, Evans added. Members would feel better if this project were completed quickly.
Share the space
Many communities have tennis courts with dual purposes, and since Moose Jaw has 300 pickleball players with no dedicated home and the tennis club has 140 members with drop-ins, the latter should share with the former, said Robinson.
“I think parks and recreation, it’s time to come up with a bona fide strategy to come up with pickleball courts in Moose Jaw. It’s totally lacking,” he said, adding two tennis courts could be turned into six to eight pickleball courts.
Derek Blais, director of parks and recreation, pointed out that Golden Ticket Sports plans to install a multi-purpose floor at Hillcrest Sports Centre with space for pickleball. Meanwhile, pickleball courts will soon be installed in Iron Bridge, while dual courts are coming to Hillcrest Park in about five years.
Protecting the courts
No tarps or covers are laid over the courts to protect them during the winter, Evans told Coun. Dawn Luhning. However, that would prevent water from seeping into cracks and increase the courts’ lifespan. He was unsure if the club had ever investigated covering the infrastructure.
“The tennis club always comes knowing they have a commitment to it. They come asking 50 per cent,” said Coun. Heather Eby. “Lots of the time, people think the city should pay for it all.”
This project is worthy, agreed Mayor Fraser Tolmie, especially since the courts are usually full when he drives past. Tennis is a low-impact game, while the asphalt’s longevity can be sustained for years.
The next regular council meeting is Monday, Jun 14.
