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5 | The IFP -H alton H ills | T hursday,M arch 25,2021 theifp.ca *Some conditions may apply. We've got comfort food cravings covered. Get your FREE Menu 289-409-0050 HeartToHomeMeals.ca Choose from hundreds of delicious fall and winter comfort food classics - all with free delivery.* *Some conditions may apply. Made for Seniors YOU'RE NOT ALONE • WE CAN HELP • • Providing services forYouth, Adults and Families in Halton since 1975 • ADAPT services are free of charge, fully accredited and confidential • Visit our website for more information 165 Cross Ave., Suite 203, Oakville, ON. L6J 0A9 instagram.com/halton_adapt/ ADAPT - Halton Alcohol, Drug and Gambling Assessment, Prevention and Treatment adapt@haltonadapt.org facebook.com/adapt 905.639.6537 haltonadapt.org @haltonadapt ALL ADAPT PROGRAMS ARE OPEN FOR TELE-COUNSELLING, REMOTE VIRTUAL INDIVIDUAL COUNSELLING and REMOTE VIRTUAL GROUPS FREE COUNSELLING & SUPPORT FOR ALCOHOL, DRUG and GAMBLING PROBLEMS with offices in Oakville, Milton, Acton, Burlington & Georgetown to serve you better A beloved sport is expe- riencing growing pains in Halton Hills. Over the last decade, an ever-increasing number of local residents have taken up pickleball, a paddleball sport combining elements of badminton and tennis. But the few existing out- door courts are shared with other user groups, and indoor spaces are hotly contested. "Pickleball is quite pop- ular in Halton Hills," said Mandy Keller, senior man- ager of community devel- opment for the Town. Originating in Florida, the sport appeals to all age groups, and has been very popular among seniors. Pickleball unofficially arrived in Halton Hills around 2013, and the Town started working with orga- nized clubs a couple of years later. Said Keller, "We're work- ing with them to help build capacity, When something is community driven, it grows better roots." Of the two existing groups in Halton Hills, Pickleball Halton Hills is actively championing the cause. "We're growing and pro- moting the sport," said club member Marc Surette. With about 115 paid members, the club has had to scramble for available space. "We haven't been able to organize a full outdoor league," Surette said. "We're without a home." The Town maintains 14 courts, seven of which are dedicated to tennis, one is shared use between tennis and basketball, and six are shared between tennis and pickleball. Combined, this allows for 13 individual pickleball courts in Halton Hills, lo- cated at Prospect Park, Jo- seph Gibbons Park, Em- merson Park, and the Gell- ert Community Park. Surette said there are two permanent pickleball nets at Prospect Park, but because of growth more are needed. At the March 1 council meeting, the Town ap- proved relining two tennis courts at Emmerson Park to expand from four pickle- ball courts to six (an addi- tional court on each tennis surface). But adding outdoor courts only eases the de- mand during the summer months. When the club moves in- doors for play during the winter, the available spac- es are hotly contested among other indoor user groups. "We're renting out the gyms at night and fighting with other clubs for space," Surette said. Surette said Halton Hills Pickleball has recent- ly incorporated in a push to advocate for the sport and improve access. "We have to contribute as well," he said. "Yes, we are taxpayers and the town uses our money, but when you look at hockey, they contributed to the new are- nas -- we have to be the ones contributing as well." The Town of Halton Hills is conducting a sur- vey through the Let's Talk Halton Hills portal to en- sure a clear understanding of the community use and demand for tennis and pickleball facilities. STORY BEHIND THE STORY: With the rising popularity of pickleball in Halton Hills, we wanted to explore the issue of avail- able playing space and what's being done to ad- dress it. NEWS PICKLEBALL GROWTH EXCEEDING AVAILABLE PLAY SPACE BRYAN MYERS bmyers@metroland.com The Town of Halton Hills is adding two more pickleball surfaces at Emmerson Park, but clubs are feeling the squeeze as interest in the sport continues to grow. Metroland file photo SCAN THIS CODE FOR MORE LOCAL NEWS