There could be a dedicated space for pickleball in Innisfil in the near future.
Town staff have been directed to determine the feasibility of re-purposing one of Innisfil’s current tennis facilities to meet the needs of the pickleball community on a pilot basis.
The motion was brought forward by Deputy Mayor Kenneth Fowler.
Initially, Fowler had limited his request to the park at Jans Boulevard, but changed course following an open forum submission from Raz Giancola, who had previously presented a petition to council with nearly 120 signatures calling for more pickleball courts to be built in the community.
Due to technical issues, Giancola was not able to speak virtually during the open forum, but did supply comments via email, which were summarized for councillors by deputy clerk Kevin Jacob.
Giancola suggested councillors look at other locations in Alcona and suggested there were issues at the Jans Boulevard location which could exclude it from being a permanent location for pickleball.
He also reiterated that a short-term solution would be for the town to paint pickleball lines on each side of a tennis court and buy the dedicated, removable nets required. This would give the town more flexibility, with four pickleball courts and two tennis courts in a location.
Fowler amended his motion accordingly.
“It gives them the option of expanding the investigation beyond just one park,” Fowler said. “If they come back with something that’s more viable, that’s more cost-effective, that’s more applicable for parking or facilities, it gives the town the freedom to widen the search.”
Fowler’s pickleball motion was one of two for which notice had been previously given that council approved in its Jan. 29 meeting.
A motion put forward by Mayor Lynn Dollin to authorize the proceeds of the 2025 and 2026 Innisfil Mayor’s Golf Tournament to be allocated solely to the Innisfil Community Foundation also was passed.