Guelph/Eramosa gets $200,000 grant for pickleball courts
Township is spending $793,000 on new courts at Rockmosa, Marden parks
BRUCEDALE – Guelph/Eramosa is receiving a $200,000 grant from the Ontario Trillium Fund to help pay for pickleball courts in Rockmosa and Marden parks.
Construction of the Rockmosa court is already underway.
Mayor Chris White announced the funding at an Aug. 11 council meeting.
The 2026 budget for the courts was $562,000. However, the township is spending $793,000 before tax – down from $1.24 million initially indicated.
At the meeting resident Ian MacDonald questioned council on the need for the courts.
“There’s just not the evidence to say that the amount of money being spent on [this project] is actually warranted by the amount of use we’ve seen,” said MacDonald.
He told council he’s seen few residents playing the sport at Rockmosa Park this summer.
Councillor Mark Bouwmeester, though sympathetic to MacDonald’s concerns, stated they would simply have to “agree to disagree” on the courts.
“I remain convinced of the popularity of pickleball,” said Bouwmeester.
“I think it’s going to be a strategic investment and well-received by residents now and into the future.”
