Upgraded tennis, pickleball courts coming as part of renovations at Winnipeg's Jill Officer Park

Winnipeg will get a new set of outdoor pickleball courts as the tennis grounds at Jill Officer Park are upgraded for the first time in decades, the City of Winnipeg said Thursday.

The renovations at the park at 1410 Rothesay St., in the North Kildonan area, include turning the four existing tennis courts into two tennis courts and four pickleball courts. 

There will also be pickleball stanchions and nets, benches, waste receptacles, fencing, parking lot repairs and landscaping added, the city added in a news release.

Pickleball, which combines elements of tennis, table tennis and badminton, is "exploding," said North Kildonan Coun. Jeff Browaty.

"It's a huge sport. It's accessible to a lot of people," he said.

The courts will use asphalt with Plexipave, a type of surface that gives much more consistent bounce and better traction for footing, Browaty said.

"It is actually used at many professional-level facilities," he said. 

This upgrade is important as it is a well-used community hub, Browaty said, adding that a paved running oval is also being upgraded.

"It's really good to provide the opportunity for people to be active in the community," Jill Officer, a six-time Canadian Curling Champion and the namesake of the park, said at the announcement Thursday. 

Officer said that she played tennis in the courts as a kid, so she's thrilled to see the upgrades.

Coun. Sherri Rollins, who chairs the city's community services and parks committee, also said the upgrades are important.

"It's really critical … that we serve communities with higher needs with places like this, places where all ages can enjoy in the summertime and really all seasons," she said.

The total cost of the project is approximately $230,000, and will come from the city's 2022 community and neighborhood parks capital fund.

Construction on the courts is expected to be completed this year.