The City of Fredericton’s Pickleball Club will benefit from new construction to support inclusion and a deeper sense of community
News release
August 1, 2023 · Fredericton, New Brunswick · Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)
Canadian communities flourish when they have safe, welcoming public spaces where people can come together to connect, engage and participate in recreational programs and activities. Having access to vibrant, interactive spaces breathes new life into our communities, stimulates local economies, creates jobs, and improves the quality of life for Canadians.
Today, Jenica Atwin, Member of Parliament for Fredericton, announced an investment of $127,930 through the Canada Community Revitalization Fund (CCRF) for the Fredericton Pickleball Club. The announcement was made on behalf of the Honourable Gudie Hutchings, Minister of Rural Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA).
This investment will support the construction of six new accessible pickleball courts that will benefit a growing membership and attract a larger, diverse group of participants to the sport – contributing to a vibrant sense of community and greater social inclusion.
The Honourable Jill Green, Social Development Minister and Minister responsible for the New Brunswick Housing Corporation, announced support of $104,122 from the Province of New Brunswick through the Regional Development Corporation (RDC); and Her Worship, Kate Rogers, Mayor for the City of Fredericton, announced a donation of land for the courts located at the Willie O’Ree Sports Complex.
Quotes
“Strong, vibrant communities in New Brunswick are a critical part of a robust and inclusive economy. Investing in shared public spaces like the Fredericton Pickleball Club builds resilience by giving residents opportunities to deepen their connection to the people and places that make their communities ‘home’.”
- The Honourable Gudie Hutchings, Minister of Rural Economic Development and Minister responsible for ACOA
“The Government of Canada is committed to ensuring that everyone can be an active participant in their communities on an equal basis. The Fredericton Pickleball Club’s new courts will promote active and healthy lifestyles while allowing everyone to play. I am proud that our government is supporting this important and inclusive recreational project that will benefit the region for years to come.”
- Jenica Atwin, Member of Parliament for Fredericton
“The province is pleased to be a funding partner in this important community infrastructure project. Keeping our residents active and healthy at every age is important, and the addition of six new pickleball courts in Fredericton north will contribute to this goal. It also contributes to our government’s priority to build vibrant and sustainable communities.”
- Jill Green, Minister of Social Development and minister responsible for housing on behalf of Réjean Savoie, minister responsible for the Regional Development Corporation
“The City of Fredericton is looking forward to the completion of six brand new pickleball courts on Fredericton’s north side. Pickleball is considered the fastest growing sport in North America — and Fredericton is no exception. More and more Frederictonians of all ages are playing pickleball. The land provided by the City for the new courts will give more people a chance to get involved in the growing sport. These new courts will also help residents to stay active, get outside and to keep well.”
- Mayor Kate Rogers, City of Fredericton
"As the number of people playing pickleball in Fredericton continues to grow rapidly, the Fredericton Pickleball Club (FPC) is constantly struggling to provide adequate playing space. The construction of these six dedicated pickleball courts will put us in a position to provide a complete package of outdoor programming for our 350 members, along with allowing us to introduce new players of all abilities to this fun, healthy and social sport. FPC has been incredibly fortunate to secure support from our federal, provincial and municipal governments, as well as from our own club members, the J.T. Clark Family Foundation and the businesses and citizens of Fredericton".
- Alden Briggs, President, Fredericton FPC
Quick facts
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Established in 2015, the Fredericton Pickleball Club has 348 members.
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Other local partners providing donations include the J.T. Clark Family Foundation, $50,000; various local business $55,245, and members of the Pickleball Club fundraising $79,774.
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According to a January 2023 survey conducted by pickleballcanada.org, over one million Canadians play pickleball. And memberships rose by 60% between the end of 2021 from 28,000 member to 46,000 in 2022.
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The Canada Community Revitalization Fund (CCRF) was launched in June 2021 and ended on March 31, 2023. The fund provided $500 million over two years to Canada’s regional development agencies (RDAs) to invest in shared and inclusive public spaces to make them safer, greener and more accessible.
Associated links
Contacts
Hugo Alvarez
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Rural Economic Development
Hugo.Alvarez@ised-isde.gc.ca
Ann Kenney
Senior Communications Officer
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Ann.kenney@acoa-apeca.gc.ca
Mary-Anne Hurley-Corbyn
Director of Communications
Regional Development Corporation (RDC)
Mary-Anne.Hurley-Corbyn@gnb.ca
Elizabeth Fraser
Communications coordinator
City of Fredericton
Elizabeth.Fraser@Fredericton.ca
Louise Boldon
Capital Projects Chair
Fredericton Pickleball Club
boldon@unb.ca
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