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After a long road, Oliver's only racquet sports court has received a much-needed facelift.
The Oliver Sport Courts now boast four pickleball courts, three freshly resurfaced tennis courts, new fending and gates, and new equipment thanks in part to a successful 2020 application to the Canada Healthy Communities Initiative program for $42,567, and the work of passionate locals.
Local resident and sports enthusiast Janet Shaw formed a fundraising committee in the early stages of the project, and through fundraising and personal donations, the funds raised by the community total just under $40,000.
The total cost of the project was estimated in 2020 to be $140,000, however with the inflation of price for supplies, materials and labour over the past 18 months, project costs are expected to come in approximately 20 per cent higher at $170,000.
“The overwhelmingly positive reaction from our local players on the quality of the playing surface and facility overall has been really rewarding to hear,” says Parks and Recreation manager Carol Sheridan.
“It took a lot of effort from a lot of people to get to this point, so to see the courts being used and knowing this project will help to build these sports in this community feels really good.”
While the new facility has been operational since late May, an official grand opening event open to the whole community will be held at the courts on Saturday, June 11 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Both the tennis and pickleball clubs will be running round-robin play for club members in the morning and offering time in the early afternoon for drop-ins/new players to hit the courts.
Raffle tickets are being sold for several prize packages for a big draw at 1:00pm and there will be BBQ burgers and smokies and drinks for purchase until 2 p.m. or until supplies last, with all proceeds going right back into the project.
Everyone is welcome, and anyone with more questions can contact Carol Sherida, manager of Parks and Recreation, at [email protected].
