The Cost of the $2,000,000 Pickleball Courts Just Went Up by $390k - What is it With This City’s Piss Poor Planning for Pots to Piss In?
No fear, apparently the ultimate cost will be nil to taxpayers.
“As a project partner, the Pickleball Club secured additional grants and will pay the full remaining amount through lease payments over ten (10) years. In addition, the Pickleball Club will assume ongoing day to day operational responsibilities. A budget amendment is required for the added amenities.”
Public Services Committee Agenda Packet
Thank goodness the Public Services Committee (PSC) is now putting it right. From the PSC meeting this morning
"Bathrooms Are Always Important"
Thank you Public Services Committee!❤️
This still must go before Council but the Public Services Committee approved an extra $390,000 (paid by a grant and the next 10 years of lease payments) to put in:
“The amenity building consists of 1460 ft2 of outdoor shade canopy; Future utility stubs for water misting device, patio heaters, bbq, and water bottle dispenser; 867 ft2 of indoor space. It includes:
Kitchen with storefront opening to shade canopy
Small administration and storage area
Barrier free washroom within fenced perimeter (PB side)
Vandalism resistant barrier free/gender neutral washroom outside fenced compound (facing soccer field) (Public side)
Vandalism resistant male and female washrooms outside fenced compound (facing soccer field) (public side)
Mechanical room w/HVAC for (up to) 4 season utilization (typical use would be shoulder/prime season use) “
Former Councilor Kris Samraj said some interesting things about the pickleball facility. When former council was presented with a draft recreational plan, pickleball did not even crack the top 18 priorities.
Scroll down on this link to see former Councilor Samraj’s take on it. (Mr Samraj is the ONE person from the previous council that I’d like to see serve again. I may not agree with everything he says but I like that he is a thinker and provides facts to back up his arguments.)
The relevant section is titled
Decision making process
So how did this happen?
Did You Know?
The Pickleball Club was allowed to present to Closed Council. No other clubs got that opportunity.
So, to recap. The $2 million pickleball courts are getting nearly $400k for toilets (and other amenities). The Club got a grant and their lease will pay for the rest.
Meanwhile Tin Can Alley downtown has to settle for Port a Potties this summer (but they do have a $400,000 canopy)!
Did You Know?
The Pickleball Club is going to pay $26,500 for the yearly lease. (So how come we still have no idea how much the Sea-Cans in Tin Can Alley will rent for?)
