The new Cornell Community Park is amazing. I love spending time there and I’m so happy to see so many residents locally and from afar, enjoying all the amenities.
Balancing our indoor and outdoor sports facilities between public and private league play can be challenging. In fact, many community sports clubs need more time for their member’s needs, and Markham recreation staff work very hard with stakeholders to find an equitable balance, while ensuring that a high percentage of club members live in the City of Markham. Many clubs have various levels within their clubs, learn to play from 4 years of age, house league, select, rep, seniors. Everyone wants to play whether they are casual players or with a league.
We like to encourage and support all our residents who participate in sports with opportunities to excel in their sport whether its Speed skating (Cornell is home to a number of award-winning National speed skaters!) Swimming, Rugby, Soccer, Hockey (Markham has many NHL players who grew up using our local rinks – no doubt the names Stamkos, Skinner, Hodgson, Piper ring a bell).
Demand for Pickleball Facilities is Growing Rapidly
Pickleball is an incredibly fun and increasingly popular sport for all ages. The 8 Cornell courts were designed and built in accordance with National standards to not only provide residents with great facilities but to grow the sport and to host tournaments at Provincial and National levels.
In 2022 a number of residents contacted me regarding the playing time at Cornell Pickleball courts, citing unfair hours for the Markham Pickleball Club (MPC). I brought these concerns to staff right away, and in a number of meetings together with a few residents and the Markham Pickleball Club, hours were adjusted to split the time between public hours and league hours. As it is now the split is close to 50/50, with slightly more time allocated for public access. This is very similar to other sport models in our community. It is important for the community to have both the option to play either in a structured club setting or a more informal drop-in setting.
The hours are split during the day, courts are open 16 hours per day 7 days a week 7am-11pm. With the 8 lighted courts there should adequate opportunities for us (I say “us” as I am just learning how to play) to make it to the court to play a game or two during the 65 plus hours per week of public hours.
I am always happy to hear from residents, and this week I again met with staff to bring your concerns to them. Please note that staff have contacted the MPC to make them aware of the transition timing between club members exiting and waiting public entering. During shared times and some peak times we have a part time staff person there to help ensure people are following the court protocols.
The City has worked with the Markham Pickleball Club for a number of years in the development of the sport and building of courts in Markham. They have been very committed to growing the sport of pickleball in our community. It was through their commitment that influenced 8 courts being developed versus the 4 courts that were originally designed. MPC is committed to providing ongoing capital replacement funding to ensure the courts are well maintained, which the community users will benefit from.
The City continues to look at other opportunities for development of outdoor pickle ball courts in our community. Over time many of the tennis courts throughout the City will also have Pickleball court lines to double the fun and play.
Please refer to Markham’s updated Integrated Leisure Master Plan, which provides an in depth understanding how the City makes decisions on recreation across ages and activities. Staff and the public have contributed a lot of time and thoughtful consideration for residents and guests to enjoy our beautiful City, enjoy our wonderful facilities and our incredible hospitality.
See you on the Courts!