A $4.4-million re-design of Dufferin Park should be completed by this fall.
The estimated cost of the upgrades has climbed from $3 million when the plan was first being discussed in 2020.
There have been “significant industry-wide cost increases since the original estimate was completed in 2020, as well as the addition of six competitive play-level pickleball courts,” said Sharon Sales, communications specialist with the City of Brantford.
The former Dufferin Clubhouse was demolished last weekend and base material and grades are being put in place for the new pickleball courts, tennis courts and pathways.
The old tennis courts dated back to the 1970s.
Site servicing, including storm sewer, water service and sanitary service installation also are underway, said Sales.
The upgraded park will include six new tennis courts with lighting and access to shade structures; six new pickleball courts; an asphalt multi-use area, including a basketball court; a play area and shade structure; a new parking lot with accessible spaces and a drop-off area; and paved trails.
Also planned is construction of a 1,000-square-foot public building, which will feature a covered entryway, meeting space with a food preparation counter, a back veranda with patio space for outdoor activities and events, a new storage room, and accessible and universal public washrooms. The building will be available for rent.
The park had been home to the Dufferin Tennis and Lawn Bowling Club, which was established in 1910. The property also had a baseball diamond, soccer field and a playground.
While tennis will continue at the park, lawn bowling will be relocated to the Walter Gretzky Golf Course on Balmoral Avenue. Funding for design of the lawn bowling area has been approved by city council.
The city took over management of the club in 2018 after members told city councilors they could no longer do it because of a shortage of volunteers with the time and expertise to properly maintain the courts and greens.
Sales said construction of the park’s new public building, tennis and pickleball courts, paths, playground parking lot and basketball court will be done simultaneously throughout the spring and summer, “with the park open for play for the 2024 season.”