SUNDRE – There might not have been an organized tennis club in Sundre or even a large contingent of players, but those who did enjoy the opportunity to play when they could are lamenting the loss of the community’s only court.
The Sundre Pickleball Association, formerly a club that in 2021 breathed new life into the previously drastically deteriorated tennis court behind Sundre High School by paving a new surface that accommodated both sports, recently completed a redesign that now caters exclusively to pickleball.
Steve Bouchet, a Sundre-area resident, business owner and developer, was among those who enjoyed playing tennis when the opportunity presented itself.
“We would play as much as possible, weather permitting and with our heavy work schedules,” he said.
Bouchet was grateful for the project the pickleball group had previously completed in 2021 that revitalized the surface and offered enthusiasts of both sports a chance to play.
But when the association pursued a further upgrade to improve the surface by using a material that’s more forgiving on joints, he said tennis players were left with the impression there would still be an opportunity for them to play with one court left in place.
“There’s room for all,” he said.
So he was dismayed to discover that when the project was finished, the latest design did not include lines for tennis.
“Nobody knew,” he said. “They painted all the courts just for pickleball, literally kicked out the tennis players.
“The tennis players have nowhere to go now. I was very hurt and upset.”
Bouchet said the association’s suggestion to play at the municipality’s new outdoor rink was dismissive and unfeasible as tennis nets are typically permanently mounted.
Overall, he felt the decision to relegate tennis in Sundre to the history books had not taken the wider community into consideration.
“There was zero compromise,” he said. “They also said there was never any tennis players. That’s wrong. Look, here we are – there’s tennis players here.”
Sundre resident Anton Walker is also among those who appreciated the opportunity to play tennis.
“I would go probably a couple of times a week,” Walker said. “Even on my own, I would practise my tennis serve.”
Walker would also occasionally play with his grandson Adam Beukeboom when the opportunity arose, and at one point was volunteering lessons to some appreciative students at Sundre High School.
But now, he must drive to Innisfail where there are outdoor courts or alternatively Red Deer where there are indoor courts. Olds used to have some, but the courts there have fallen into disrepair, he said.
And regardless of how many people play tennis, Walker said the redesign of the former tennis court in Sundre is a permanent change that eliminates the sport as a possibility in the community, by extension denying anyone the opportunity of even trying it out and giving it a chance to grow.
That sentiment was shared by Bouchet.
“I think my greatest concern is taking an option away from the community,” said Bouchet.
“And you can’t get that option back … the more options the better for anybody in a small town.”
Sundre resident Paul Shippy developed a love of tennis upon moving to town in 2007 after first playing solo against a plywood board before eventually meeting Walker and learning how to play properly.
“I became a tennis freak,” said Shippy, adding he also enjoys pickleball.
And while life after having children and taking on other commitments has not permitted him the opportunity to keep playing tennis, he still follows the sport’s championship events.
Responding to the association’s suggestion for those who still want to play to simply go to the outdoor rink, Shippy said he looked into that option and found there are many more factors to consider than merely adding lines.
One concern is the glare from the concrete surface and whiteboards potentially becoming blinding on a sunny day, with another being the matter of adequately securing reinforced posts for the net.
But the biggest concern is the concrete’s slick surface. Shippy said he spoke with a contractor who specializes in concrete finishing. As it turns out, the surface would need to be sandblasted and roughed up before being re-sealed, which of course would come at a cost but could also potentially affect the longevity of the new outdoor rink that endures a frost and thaw cycle.
Mayor Richard Warnock confirmed he’d had a conversation with members of the pickleball group regarding their plan to resurface the court.
Warnock said he was not directly involved in the decision-making process to develop the design but that he had been left with the impression the plan was to accommodate tennis players similar to the resurfacing project in 2021.
“That’s the way I understood it,” he said.
The mayor added the court is on Chinook’s Edge School Division land, with which the municipality has a lease agreement.
Asked for his thoughts on the redesign that ultimately removed a traditionally available recreational option without community consultation, he said, “There’s a group of people who went out of their way to fundraise, to rehabilitate and do that court in the fashion and put it in the standard that it is today.
“Those people deserve some credit for their hard work,” he said.
Warnock added that he hopes members of the community who want to play tennis are able find a solution with the pickleball group.
Informed that the association had recommended tennis players just move over to the municipality’s outdoor rink, the mayor said he would need to learn more and pursue discussions with administration.
“It looks like there’s going to have to be some action taken there, and I will look into it.”
