Construction Beginning this Spring on Multi-Court Pickleball Facility
Medicine Hat – Construction on a 20-court pickleball facility, located southeast of the Big Marble Go Centre, is set to begin later this spring.
Community members and the Medicine Hat Pickleball Club previously approached the City about the development of a multi-court facility to advance and address one of the fastest growing sports in North America. The new courts provide an opportunity to host regional, provincial and national level tournaments, in addition, options for clubs, leagues, schools, as well as the community.
“Pickleball has grown in popularity over the last several years in Medicine Hat. It is a sport everyone can play, regardless of ability or age, and keeps people active at all stages of life,” said Alex Ehmann, project engineer with the City of Medicine Hat. “We’re excited to bring this project to life with the collaborative effort of the Medicine Hat Pickleball Club as we have discussed this opportunity for some time. We can now put shovels in the ground, thanks to the $2M in funding support provided by the Government of Alberta Municipal Stimulus Program.”
The City of Medicine Hat thanks the Government of Alberta for supporting this project through the Municipal Stimulus Program, developed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, to stimulate the economy through job growth and red tape reduction. Funding was allocated per capita, providing Medicine Hat a maximum contribution of $7.5 million. The program identified extensive eligibility criteria, including no ongoing operational costs (creating future burden on tax rates), no existing budget commitment (projects that would not go forward in the absence of support through the stimulus program), commencement of construction by 2021 and expending all grant funds by December 31, 2021.
With the expansion of the available amenities at the Big Marble Go Centre, construction of the multi-court facility will extend to include additional parking in the east lot. 40 parking spaces for visitors will be created as part of the project.
Multi-Court Facility Map (PDF)
As a result of the parking lot expansion, the playground at the Big Marble Go Centre will be removed. City staff are currently reviewing the possibility of relocating the playground area, while remaining fiscally responsible.
“Our hope is to replace the playground in 2022 and build a structure which is within the Big Marble Go Centre grounds or a neighbouhood close by,” said Ehmann. “Work on the design and location is underway and we will be looking to share our ideas with the public in the coming months.”
For more information about the Multi-Court Pickleball Facility, visit the City website.
For media inquiries, please contact:
media@medicinehat.ca
Community members and the Medicine Hat Pickleball Club previously approached the City about the development of a multi-court facility to advance and address one of the fastest growing sports in North America. The new courts provide an opportunity to host regional, provincial and national level tournaments, in addition, options for clubs, leagues, schools, as well as the community.
“Pickleball has grown in popularity over the last several years in Medicine Hat. It is a sport everyone can play, regardless of ability or age, and keeps people active at all stages of life,” said Alex Ehmann, project engineer with the City of Medicine Hat. “We’re excited to bring this project to life with the collaborative effort of the Medicine Hat Pickleball Club as we have discussed this opportunity for some time. We can now put shovels in the ground, thanks to the $2M in funding support provided by the Government of Alberta Municipal Stimulus Program.”
The City of Medicine Hat thanks the Government of Alberta for supporting this project through the Municipal Stimulus Program, developed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, to stimulate the economy through job growth and red tape reduction. Funding was allocated per capita, providing Medicine Hat a maximum contribution of $7.5 million. The program identified extensive eligibility criteria, including no ongoing operational costs (creating future burden on tax rates), no existing budget commitment (projects that would not go forward in the absence of support through the stimulus program), commencement of construction by 2021 and expending all grant funds by December 31, 2021.
With the expansion of the available amenities at the Big Marble Go Centre, construction of the multi-court facility will extend to include additional parking in the east lot. 40 parking spaces for visitors will be created as part of the project.
Multi-Court Facility Map (PDF)
As a result of the parking lot expansion, the playground at the Big Marble Go Centre will be removed. City staff are currently reviewing the possibility of relocating the playground area, while remaining fiscally responsible.
“Our hope is to replace the playground in 2022 and build a structure which is within the Big Marble Go Centre grounds or a neighbouhood close by,” said Ehmann. “Work on the design and location is underway and we will be looking to share our ideas with the public in the coming months.”
For more information about the Multi-Court Pickleball Facility, visit the City website.
For media inquiries, please contact:
media@medicinehat.ca
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