Creemore pickleball players renew funding request
A 15-member delegation of Creemore pickleball players has approached Clearview Township to ask, once again, for funding for new outdoor courts.
The township’s parks and recreation department had proposed $100,000 be included in the 2025 budget for construction of four outdoor courts, but that item was nixed during budget deliberations.
Since then, parks and recreation director Terry Vachon has been examining various options, including a facility to be shared with the Creemore Tennis Club. Tennis club members voted to maintain their current location, so Vachon is recommending construction of dedicated pickleball courts in the area west of the Creemore arena.
Pickleball player Mike Schmidt told council that between 50 and 60 local players use indoor spaces at the arena and the public school gym from September to May. The group is asking for a 60-by-64-foot concrete pad surrounded by a 10- to 12-foot chain-link fence to provide space for two courts. Schmidt says, “We are absolutely committed to keeping these courts open and free to everyone.”
Mayor Doug Measures noted that the Creemore tennis courts are a township- owned facility, and there is currently no memorandum of agreement with the club. Vachon pointed out, “It’s more of a gentlemen’s agreement. The tennis club has been operating there for more than 20 years without a formal agreement.”
When the item was originally proposed as part of the 2025 budget,
Vachon believed that four courts could be built for that amount. Now he is suggesting inclusion of $100,000 in next year’s budget to build two courts.
Meanwhile, council has approved a tender for up to $37,264 plus HST for site preparation to build tennis and pickleball courts at 220 Huron St., Stayner. That expense was approved as part of the 2025 budget.
