Gravenhurst considering options to expand Pickleball

A report offers three options costing up to $30,000

Gravenhurst Council agreed to consider options for expanding pickleball facilities at Muskoka Bay Park as part of the 2027 budget process during the September 15, 2026, meeting.

Council received a staff report outlining three options ranging in estimated cost from $14,000 to $30,000.

The review followed direction given to staff in May to explore converting the existing pickleball court into multiple courts while retaining the existing tennis court and examining potential funding options.

Mayor, Heidi Lorenz, said the request came forward because of a letter they received from a user.

The park currently has one dedicated pickleball court and one dedicated tennis court within the same fenced enclosure. Staff noted that while indoor pickleball is available through the YMCA and seasonally at the Gravenhurst Curling Club, opportunities for free, publicly accessible pickleball in the Town are limited.

Staff indicated that communication with pickleball users about the potential of four courts together raised concerns such as being “squished and not enough room, and too confined,” and they “prefer to have the regulated space.”

A field investigation found the existing court enclosure is approximately 120 feet by 110 feet, about 10 feet smaller than a standard double tennis court enclosure.

As a result, staff determined the site cannot accommodate four dedicated pickleball courts while retaining a full-sized tennis court and appropriate safety clearances. The maximum practical expansion within the existing footprint is two dedicated pickleball courts while preserving the tennis court.

Staff presented Council with three options moving forward.

The least expensive option, estimated at $14,000 plus HST, would resurface and reconfigure the existing pickleball area into two courts, with users providing portable nets. Staff described it as the most economical and efficient option.

A second option, estimated at $30,000 plus HST, would also create two dedicated courts but include permanent pickleball nets and a divider fence.

The third option, estimated at $16,000 plus HST, would create two dedicated pickleball courts while adding pickleball markings to the existing tennis court. That would provide up to four pickleball courts, although two would be shared-use and available only when the tennis court is not being used.

Staff noted shared court space has previously presented challenges between tennis and pickleball users.

Staff advised that they are working with consultants about the options and costs associated with more substantial changes to the facility.

Further consideration of the options will be discussed in the 2027 budget deliberations.