The group that wants to build a racquet centre in Okotoks envisions a world-class building that will draw international attention.
The non-profit Okotoks Pickleball & Tennis Centre (OPTC) will be built in partnership with the Town of Okotoks on land near Meadow Ridge School on 32 Street.
OPTC director Greg Auld said the facility could draw national or international visitors.
“It’s going to be one-of-a-kind in Canada,” Auld said.
Plans for the centre call for 12 indoor and 12 outdoor pickleball courts, along with two outdoor tennis courts and additional indoor instructional courts.
A lounge with restaurant and bar, a change room with showers, and indoor and outdoor viewing areas are also part of the plan.
Auld said the land will be leased from the Town, and the facility will be operated by the OPTC under a 30-year agreement.
The Town of Okotoks is contributing $5 million to the project, which includes the 5.5-acre parcel of land and $2 million.
With a project budget of around $10 million, grants and donations are needed to make up the difference, Auld said.
To boost fundraising efforts, an Alberta family has provided $500,000 to match personal and corporate donations that are made until the end of the year.
“Any personal donation, they match two to one, so $1,000 gets us $3,000,” Auld said. Corporate donations will be matched one-to-one.
Since an open house for the project was held on May 9, about $400,000 has been raised, he said.
The Town of Okotoks said the racquet centre will provide a mix of free, low cost and paid recreational opportunities and serve as a gathering place for the community.
“It will also have the capacity to host provincial and international tournaments, drawing significant economic benefits to the local economy,” the Town said.
Working with area schools, the centre has a goal of introducing 10,000 kids to pickleball over five years.
“One of our big initiatives is to get the community involved and get the community playing,” Auld said.
The organization hopes construction can begin next spring for the facility to be open in 2026.
Auld said construction would be phased, with the indoor courts ideally completed before the outdoor courts.
For more information, visit www.okptc.ca.
