Town to explore feasibility of additional multi-purpose sport court

By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Town of Strathmore is exploring the feasibility of establishing another multi-purpose sport court at the Motor Products Sports Center. 

Mayor Pat Fule spoke to an administrative inquiry he submitted during the Feb. 18 meeting of council. The idea is to explore potential improvements to the currently undeveloped cement area.

“The current cement area does not meet the needs of residents. While it will be an investment, I have received external information that showed a potential increase in rentals for club volleyball and basketball at the Sports Centre, should we have three operating courts,” he said.

Administration has been asked to return before council with a cost estimate for a third sport court to be installed at the facility with lines for basketball, badminton, volleyball, and pickleball. 

Additionally, council has requested economic and services benefits of these improvements to be included in the report. 

A multi-purpose sport court was officially opened on the outside of the facility in November as a result of George Freeman School’s collaboration with Grey’s Limited.

Though the budget for the project was not released to the public, it was noted to also have been significantly financed by the Warrack Family Foundation.

The establishment of another sport court is anticipated to attract revenue from sources such as Basketball Alberta and Volleyball Alberta tournament bookings.

“I think we have had an increase in the usage of the sports center. I’m a volunteer coach there, I see the number of people who come in on Sundays, and I’ve seen the tournament bookings in there,” said Fule. 

“I just feel that with the information that may be coming to us at this April meeting, we can see that there is a great opportunity for more revenue on weekends that some of these club volleyball and club basketball tournaments need three courts, and they could all be housed in one large centre for the tournaments, and it would generate a lot of revenue from renting the facility.”

Fule added he maintains several concerns regarding seniors and young people who have been playing pickleball on a cement floor sustaining injuries to their knees, hips, and ankles. 

Coun. James Chisholm added he would be eager to see the potential revenue enhancement and expense adjustments which would take place due to the addition of an additional court.

Council voted unanimously in support of the inquiry, requesting that administration return to present their report for further discussion during the April 15 meeting of council.