What do Pickle Ball and a new Arts Facility have in common?

Well, for one thing. Both of these items were on last week’s Council agenda. 

 A long time resident of our City, spoke during the Open Forum section of our recent Council meeting to express his opinion about the possibilities of expanding the outdoor facilities available for pickleball. The tennis courts on 55th Ave. are currently used for both tennis and outdoor pickleball. Council heard from this resident that there are several ways that the City could improve these facilities: first, different lines are needed on the court to distinguish their sport from tennis; additional courts are needed to meet the growing demand; and a dedicated pickleball court would be their third priority.

Pickleball is grabbing the attention of young and old alike around North America. Beaumont is part of this growing trend. Our 50 Plus Club has seen their number of indoor pickleball players grow so fast that they are contemplating daily pickleball games in their centre.

 While no decisions are pending for expanding the outdoor facilities for tennis or pickleball, Council now has information to consider when budget time rolls around this Fall. There have been requests though for increased outdoor lighting and multi-use facilities. Council was pleased to hear kudos from the resident about the recent resurfacing of the tennis courts. In addition, it was noted that the surface of outdoor ice rinks (minus the ice) was too slippery to safely use for pickleball. This is all good information for Council to have before any future consultations on shared versus new facilities in next year’s budget. 

 And what about the Arts Facility? 

 Council had its first presentation from the Performing Arts Facility Steering Committee. This Committee was set up by the previous Council to review, study, and advise us on the possible location, operating model, funding opportunities and costs associated with building a performing arts facility in Beaumont.

Council heard an update on the process. To date, the Committee has spent numerous volunteer hours in meetings, viewing available land, visiting facilities in smaller cities and arts facilities in Edmonton to help them identify options. The Chair and one of the members referenced the overall complexity of the project.  They are aiming to bring a well-studied report to Council that will address location, size, function and cost in such a way that Council can plan ahead for building an appropriate and affordable facility.

 Councillors thanked the Steering Committee for their hard work and asked questions about details and timelines.  The hope was expressed that details of location, operating model, funding sources, and costs would come forward sooner, rather than later, to provide enough time for these items to be carefully considered during Budget 2023 deliberations. The importance of working in partnership was mentioned several times noting other facility growth needs in the community, for example, high schools, library expansion, and City Hall. Since the Administration is scheduled to bring back a review of all of our assets this year, the Committee is hoping their work will be better informed by this data. The Committee will be back with recommendations to Council in the 3rdQuarter. 

 The second thing these two issues have in common...

 Council will consider and weigh these two requests along with many other growth and maintenance needs that come along with building and sustaining a city as vibrant and as beautiful as ours. It’s not an easy task but that’s why we have City Councils.  And it’s because residents and volunteers care so much about making their city the best it can be, that I appreciate hearing from them.

 If you have an opinion about these issues or others, email me at kathybarnhartt4x@gmail.com. I’d appreciate hearing your thoughts.