The Doug Allin Tennis Courts could see a lot of action in the colder months if a community effort to create an indoor facility comes to fruition.
The Municipality of Chatham-Kent and Tennis Canada, in partnership with Rogers, have both committed $200,000 if another $800,000 can be raised to cover the cost of erecting an air-supported structure – dome – over the four tennis courts, two of which are lined for pickleball, located on the property of John McGregor Secondary School in Chatham.
Efforts are “amping up” to reach out to the community, with different donor packages available, said Stephanie Chapados, who is leading the fundraising effort with her husband local tennis coach and player Mark Chapados.
She said tennis and pickleball are sports that appeal to a wide demographic of players.
‘This type of facility could be attractive to a lot of newcomers to Chatham-Kent,’ she added. “I think it could be a great asset for the municipality.”
Chapados said this will be the fourth year Ontario Tennis Association tournaments are running in Chatham, which have attracted participants from the Greater Toronto and some from as far away as Montreal.
She said they stay in hotels and check out the community while they are here.
Chatham County. Michael Bondy, who supports the project, said the municipality has committed $200,000 in the budget on the condition $800,000 is raised in the community.
He said it is similar to municipal support that has been provided for other recreational projects, such as the Chatham-Kent YMCA.
With $400,000 already on the table, Bondy said, “It puts gas in the tank to get this going so we’re not starting a zero and aiming for over $1 million.”
Noting he’s been driving to Windsor for several years during the winter to play at an indoor tennis facility there, the councilor said, “I see a lot of Chatham-Kent faces there.”
Bondy said by having both tennis and pickleball available, “I’m confident that the usage is there and really, for the municipality to chip-in $200,000 to effectively gain a $1.2 million facility, it’s a win for the city.”
He added the project will involve a partnership with the Lambton Kent District School Board and the municipality, and could include a private operator to run the facility.
Chapados said the proposal calls for the dome to come down during the summer time.
“It’s pretty important that it does come down because this is a free facility in the summer months,” Bondy said.
“It’s not usable in the winter, so we’re not taking an activity away from anybody,” he added.
Chapados said as they reach out for sponsorships, “People are positive when we tell them about this, they’re excited.”
She said if an individual, business or organization is interested in making a substantial donation, at this point a letter of intent would be acceptable to the municipality as a show of commitment.
Chapados said organizers will be coming before Chatham-Kent council before the summer and hope to have enough of a financial commitment to be able to move forward on the project with the goal of opening by September 2023.
She noted fundraising efforts are also underway including an upcoming tennis skills and strength training event that will run twice a week for four weeks, beginning May 2.
Tennis coaches Mark Chapados and Larry Lahey are partnering with Peak Athletic Training for strength training. The fundraiser, which features separate sessions for players 10 to 13 and 14 to 18, costs $160. To register email [email protected].
Anyone interested in donating or being a sponsor can also email [email protected] or call 519-401-4949.