Midland’s Tiffin Park now has eight pickleball courts thanks to the conversion of the second tennis court to four more courts this fall.
Garry Morehouse led the charge for the conversion of the first tennis court to four pickleball courts in 2016; they were the first outdoor courts in North Simcoe. He was later inducted in the Midland Sports Hall of Fame for being a builder of pickleball.
About a year ago, fellow Midland Area Pickleball Club member Stewart Young coordinated the project with Midland’s Park and Recreation department to transform the second court, which wasn’t often used, to four more courts. Resurfacing was completed in the last few weeks.
“These courts are as good as any courts anywhere in North America,” said Morehouse.
The beauty of Tiffin Park’s courts is that they are fully fenced, there are lights for night play and the space offers a central walkway to access courts without disturbing any players, he explained.
Pickleball continues to grow in popularity, said Morehouse.
“We went to eight courts because we get 40 people come out in the morning and at night we get another 30,” he said. “You don’t need to make commitments to come. You just show up and it’s very social.”
There are also six outdoor courts at McGuire Park in Penetanguishene and six multi-purpose courts in Tiny Township.
Indoors, with the Midland Area Pickleball Club, you can play every day of the week. They club has gym courts at the North Simcoe Sports and Recreation Centre and the Midland YMCA. There are also courts at the Tay Township Elementary School in Victoria Harbour, James Keating Elementary School in Penetanguishene and at St. Theresa’s Catholic High School in Midland.
The club now boasts 160 members, he said.
“We had to close it. We can’t take anymore,” said Morehouse of the membership. But now a waiting list has started building up.
To accommodate those on the waiting list, Morehouse helped organize Friday night pickleball at St. Theresa’s. The fee for the Friday night club is $25 a year.
“This will transform into another whole new crew, people who are working during the week and want to do something on Friday night,” he said.
A fall beginner session at the YMCA for a maximum of 24 was filled in two days, he said.
Morehouse said his mission in life is to make pickleball available to everybody.
“Pickleball is for all ages, all shapes and all abilities. The best female player in the world is 16. It’s no longer a seniors’ sport,” he said, referencing a stereotype.
Morehouse has played pickleball in Florida, Texas, British Columbia and New Brunswick to name a few.
“The ultimate goal is to have pickleball in the Olympics but it needs to be played in 75 countries in order to qualify and we are not that far off.”
For more information visit the Midland club’s website.