ESTEVAN - The effort to bring a pickleball court to the Fresh Air Fitness outdoor gym site in Woodlawn Regional Park received a big boost on April 9.
Kingston Midstream, and Tundra Oil & Gas each donated $12,500 to the project through the Richardson Foundation, for total support of $25,000. Debby Knight, who started Fresh Air Fitness with Peggy Rohatyn, said the support will cover the estimated cost, and they hope to have the court open within a couple of months.
"We've already contacted the contractors to work out some of the details and get going on it, and have people playing pickleball this summer," Knight said.
The court will be constructed adjacent to the Cossette Park baseball diamond.
Pickleball is a very "up-and-coming sport" in Estevan, Knight said, and there is an active club in the city. The local pickleball association reached out to Woodlawn park previously and indicated there is a shortage of courts.
"I have a young friend of mine who plays tennis, and she said it's a little problematic to get the tennis courts because they're always playing pickleball on them. There is a shortage of courts," said Knight.
Fresh Air Fitness is always looking for ways to make improvements to offer something more, Knight said. The organization is also working on a disc golf course within the park.
Brenda Orr with Tundra said the court is an awesome project, and a lot of volunteers have dedicated a lot of time o make it happen.
"It works for everybody in the community, but it also supports our staff in the area as well," said Orr, who pointed out it's a growing sport that she has started playing.
