The community of Erieau is celebrating the grand opening of its two new outdoor pickleball courts.
The official ribbon cutting ceremony was held on Thursday at Laverne Kelly Memorial Park on Mariners Road. Mayor Darrin Canniff cut the ribbon with local councillors and donors looking on.
Acting Project Lead Leo Heuvelmans told CK News Today sponsors stepped up in a big way with $170,000 to help this project cross the finish line.
Heuvelmans said work on the project began in late 2020 and he's glad it's done for all to enjoy.
"Absolutely excited that we're finally to the point where we got total funding for the project through our generous donors. People have been coming from Chatham and Blenheim and surrounding areas to play," said Heuvelmans.
Heuvelmans said the courts are a nice addition to the village because pickleball is very popular, fun, and not very hard on the body.
"It's an up and coming sport. It's probably the fastest growing sport in North America, I would say, and the people who were playing tennis previously have all become pickleball players," he said.
The new pickelball courts are enclosed by a fence with windscreens and have a sun shelter.
The court are open daily from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. and all ages can play.
Heuvelmans said there's drop-in play in the morning on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays when people can just drop-in and play if they want, adding racquets can be rented at the courts.
