This summer, the Township of South Frontenac has upgraded their three net-sport courts. The Centennial Park court in Harrowsmith, The Point in Sydenham, and the Gerald Ball court in Sunbury have undergone resurfacing to improve player experience.

According to a release from the Township of South Frontenac, dated Thursday, Sept. 10, 2020, Council approved the resurfacing project in the 2020 budget, and additional community support from an anonymous donation enabled the project scope to expand. The most obvious change to the project is the new high-quality coloured top coat now on all three courts. The Township says the use of a coloured top coat reduces the creation of ‘heat islands’ which can be harmful to player’s health due to lower air quality. Players will also now enjoy a leveled, safer surface and two different line colours to differentiate between the tennis and pickleball court boundaries.

“This project is an investment and a commitment to recreation and community wellness,” says Mayor Ron Vandewal. “We are proud to offer these high-quality recreation amenities here in South Frontenac and very grateful for the community support that enabled this project to be expanded.”

Although the resurfacing of the courts is complete, the Loughborough Memorial Park & Recreation Centre (‘The Point’) is currently waiting on the installation of both tennis and pickleball nets. Tennis nets are installed at the Centennial Park and Gerald Ball Park courts, and, according to the release, portable pickleball nets are in place in order to allow play to resume right away. The permanent pickleball nets and court backstops are currently on back order and will be installed as soon as possible.

While a relatively new court sport, pickleball is currently the fastest growing sport in North America, particularly among older adults. According to South Frontenac, the pickleball community in the Township is very active with several courts in being regularly booked by multiple pickleball groups. Tennis is also seeing a resurgence in popularity in Canada and in South Frontenac, making the net-sport courts in the Township in high demand.