The city's first outdoor pickleball courts in Forest Glade are now ready for the public to use.
Windsor City Council invested $850,000 in improvements to the city’s tennis facility at Optimist Parkin Forest Glade, which included the complete removal of the aging courts and fencing, and transforming the area into an up-scale tennis and pickleball facility.
The investment is part of $2.2-million in upgrades underway at the east end park.
There are now six new tennis courts and ten pickleball courts with specialized surfacing, colour coating, and new fencing that includes wind and noise-blocking mesh.
"Three new walls have also been constructed with access from all six tennis courts for solo or practice play," city officials said in a release. "A new meeting and resting area has been created just north of the courts along with benches and picnic tables. In addition, drainage improvements have been made to ensure the courts shed water as quickly as possible."
According to the city, the final touches will include grass seeding and watering of the surrounding area over the next month. Several new trees will also be planted this fall.
Play is on a first-come, first-served basis.
“We are excited to unveil the fully upgraded tennis courts and the new pickleball courts in Forest Glade Park," said Mayor Drew Dilkens. "These amenities are important to support healthy active living across the City. Thank you to the tennis and pickleball communities for helping work with us on making these improvements possible."
All sixteen courts are open for play until 11 p.m.