CALEDONIA—McKinnon Park is set to become home to the Caledonia Legion Pickleball Park following a successful proposal for the Legion to partner with Haldimand County. The Legion will fund 65% of the project, with a grant from Haldimand’s Community Partnership Program covering the remaining 35% of the project’s overall anticipated $450,000 bill.
“I was contacted by Ron Winegard in Caledonia about building a pickleball court,” said former Legion president and current chair of their legacy committee Brian Haggith. “I wanted to make a legacy project for the Legion. The Legion’s been active in Caledonia for 95 years; they’ve contributed to the community for 95 years.”
Haggith listed similar community outreach work done by service groups like the Lions Club and Kinsmen Club for recreational spaces and amenities as inspiration for the project.
He continued, “What we needed from the County was their co-operation, and we needed a parcel of land in a park that we could put it on for community use. The County was more than receptive to assist us in this endeavour.”
To support their efforts, the Legion is planning a community fundraising campaign.
“I want this to be a community project. I want a quick turnaround. We’re going to try and shoot for having the courts up and running by the end of May next year, if at all possible,” said Haggith. “The Legion will spearhead it, but we want other members of the community involved – the BIA, the Chamber of Commerce, we’d like to get other service clubs in Caledonia involved to help us with the fundraising.”
The four new pickleball courts will join existing amenities, including the Lions Community Centre and an arena, baseball diamond, basketball court, and skate park. The proposal includes the courts and associated lighting, fencing, and a pathway from the parking lot.
The courts are expected to be enjoyed by residents of all ages, and have the opportunity to be used for physical education and extra-curricular activities by students at the nearby schools.
The project will require that the existing soccer posts be removed, with County staff noting that the posts are “underutilized and the field is not part of any organized soccer programming.”
The staff report notes courts will be “strategically oriented” to optimize play during sunny conditions.
Meanwhile, the proposed fencing will be lined with a windbreak screen to help mitigate the impacts of wind on gameplay as well.
Members of the Caledonia/Hagersville pickleball group, who meet regularly in Haldimand to play pickleball, have provided feedback. Through their collaboration, additional seating for players and spectators is under consideration.
Councillor John Metcalfe asked about noise mitigation, citing complaints raised by Niagara-on-the-Lake residents over a similar park.
“That is something we considered as part of this project,” replied Community Partnership Liaison Katelyn Bowen-Schweyer. “We’ve done some research and I’ve talked to other municipalities who have put in pickleball courts. Standard practice is about 100 feet away from residences. In the location we’ve proposed it will be about 200 feet, so it should help with noise, but part of the project will be looking at how we can cancel out noise.”
Caledonia Councillor Dan Lawrence added, “There is a very large tree line that’s very high and provides another buffer between the court and the residents that do back onto Balmoral Court. It’s a very good location, right beside a playground for young kids. If mom and dad want to take the kids to the park while they play pickleball it’s well suited. Just another enhancement to McKinnon Park.”
With Pickleball Canada declaring the sport the fastest growing in the country with over 1.37 million Canadians playing each month, the desire in the community for these courts is seemingly strong. Haldimand Council agreed, voting unanimously in favour.
Once operational, the park will be maintained by the County, with the Community Development and Partnerships Division’s facility use and booking policies deployed to ensure the anticipated organized leagues and casual drop-in players can all take a turn on the courts.
While fundraising plans are still under works, Haggith noted that those wishing to make a donation now are welcome to head down to the Legion to make one in person, also noting that the committee intends to issue tax receipts to those who donate to the project as well.
He concluded, “This is going to be a legacy to the veterans of the past 95 years who have done a lot and I just want the Caledonia Branch 154 to be remembered for community support and community projects.”
