Just who gets to use the tennis courts this summer was decided by High River Town Council at their meeting Monday, April 23.

It was a packed council chamber as Town Council voted in favour of allowing the Pickleball Club the use of one court, which makes four pickleball courts, and the Tennis Club gets the use of the other four.

The solution was put forth by the Parks and Recreation department, with the Tennis Club agreeing to it, but the Pickleball club wanted to take the issue up with council.

Pickleball Vice President Tony Marshall says the meeting was worth the time because he feels the club has been heard.

"I think it is great, we were heard today, and that is all we asked for," said Marshall. "It is one more court than we had before and it is finalized. I think we got a clear direction that they would be willing to consider a ferment pickleball facility outdoors so I think it is a great win-win situation."

Marshall says it wasn't the outcome they were hoping for, but they can work with it.

Tennis Club Secretary Sandra Wiebe says one thing is clear, the Pickleball Club needs their own space.

"There is a growing need for a pickleball facility," said Wiebe. "With such a large membership it would be really great if they could pursue something that would suit their needs. Even a short term solution like this is going to be very short for what they need.

She adds even though they've agreed to the compromise they still don't think it's fair because the tennis club does not have indoor access and the pickleball club does.

Manager of Parks and Recreation Craig Stanley says it is a good solution.

"I think things went well," said Stanley. "The discussion was both sides had an opportunity to present their positions and council saw fair use as staff recommendations and I think we will be good going forward with that."

The motion council voted on  was to provide access, by way of a license of occupation to the High River Tennis Club to four courts and to provide access to the High River Pickleball Club, by way of a licence of occupation to one tennis court at the Montrose Tennis Facility.

Councillor Cathy Couey made an amendment to the motion to have the pickleball club have two courts, but it was defeated with Couey, Mayor Craig Snodgrass and Councillor Bruce Masterman voting in favour of the amendment.

In the final vote for the four-one split only Councillor Masterman voted against it.

 

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