A brand new multi-sport court was unveiled in Desbarats on Friday, bringing the opportunity to play pickleball, floor hockey, basketball, and more to the community.
Located outside the community arena, the new court was built on the strength of a $150,000 Ontario Trillium Grant and replaces the site’s former tennis courts that had aged and fell into disrepair.
“Congratulations to the mayor, council, and everyone involved in making this exciting project a reality for the residents of Johnson Township,” said Bill Rosenberg, MPP for Algoma-Manitoulin, at a ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday morning.
“Thanks to the support of the Ontario Trillium Foundation, this new pickleball court will provide a lasting space for active living and social connection for years to come. This is a great example of how community-driven initiatives, backed by provincial support, can make a meaningful difference.”
In total, the court can be used to play six different sports, and Johnson Township Mayor Reg McKinnon said it will serve as both a hub for staying active and for bringing the community together.
“This new multi-sport court represents so much more than just a recreational gathering space, but a place for people to connect as a community. With such a central location, this court will quickly become a hub for people of all ages that can stay active,” McKinnon said.
Without the resources of larger urban centres, McKinnon said projects like these can have an outsized impact on small communities.
“We don't always have access to resources or recreational options found in larger centres, so when we do invest every dollar goes a long way,” he said.
The new facility was designed in 2024 with input from the community.
“This park will serve hundreds, if not thousands of people over its lifetime, from our local school kids to our seniors,” McKinnon said. “It also shows what's possible when we come together through various types of local support and through a shared vision with our community.”
The court includes a full-sized basketball court, goalie creases for floor hockey, three pickleball courts, a shared tennis/badminton/volleyball court, as well as plans to add shuffleboard lines in a future phase of the project.