Bonnerworth Park in Peterborough may soon have new pickleball courts but not every resident is in favour of the upgrades.
On Monday evening, Peterborough city council endorsed a new Parks and Outdoor Recreation Facilities report that outlines immediate and long-term requirements for some outdoor recreation facilities.
Among the recommendations is for Bonnerworth Park on McDonnell Street to add 16 lit pickleball courts, along with expanding the existing 20-year-old skateboard park and adding a specialized bike track. The city’s draft 2024 capital budget includes $2,035,000 for the redevelopment project.
But some residents living in the area told council they’re not in favour of the new pickleball courts. Currently, the park has six courts painted overtop of existing tennis courts.
The main issue of concern? The racket from the racquets.
“I can hear the pock, pock, pock of the pickleball inside my house with all of the windows and doors closed,” said Ken Towle, who lives on Brewer Street.
“Imagine if you had to listen to this 12 to 13 hours a day, seven days a week,” he added as he played a recording of sounds he says are from the park.
City staff said there is the potential to add barriers to reduce noise levels.
“Pickleball is being removed from the Knights of Columbus Park and added to a cluster, a compatible cluster, for this type of activity at Bonnerworth,” Coun. Lesley Parnell said.
Several other stakeholders praised the recommendations at Bonnerworth, noting the expansion will draw more athletes to the city.
“Tournaments bring in competitors from outside the Peterborough area, which increases revenue for hotels and restaurants,” said Bruce Bozec, president of the Peterborough Pickleball Association. “The installation of 16 courts will only enhance this.”
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Dan Post of the Peterborough Skateboard Coalition says it fully supports the redevelopment of Bonnerworth as a “multi-sport hub.”
“We are likewise eager to collaborate with the Pickleball Association and the BMX bike group on a world-class destination for our region,” he said.
The report also recommends redevelopment at the Knights of Columbus Park on Park Street North with $1,115,000 from the draft 2024 capital budget to support four lit tennis courts, a splash pad, change-room facilities, and an off-leash dog park.
The staff report also recommends an off-leash dog park in each of the city’s five wards; however, there is currently only one off-leash dog park in the city, and it’s at Farmcrest Park on Ashburnham Drive in the east end.
Other approved items
On Monday evening, city council also approved:
- Traffic calming initiatives along Woodglade Boulevard, which include reducing the speed limit to 40 km/h between Sherbrooke Street and Kawartha Heights Boulevard. The changes came following the death of a three-year-old girl who was struck by a vehicle while standing in a driveway in late March 2023.
- The twin-pad arena under construction at Morrow Park will be named the Miskin Law Community Complex as part of a 10-year, $600,000 naming rights agreement.
- The new waste collection bylaw, which includes moving to clear garbage bags, removing garbage containers and implementing an organics collection program.
— with files from Robert Lothian/Global News Peterborough