A Chatham-Kent councillor says moving ahead with plans for Phase 1 of a regional park on land donated by St. Clair College in Chatham is an "important first step."
On Monday night, Council unanimously approved plans for new domed indoor tennis courts to be part of the 20-acre park on Bear Line Road and McNaughton Avenue in Chatham.
The $2.2 million tennis dome is set to open sometime next year after further consultation with user groups.
Councillor Michael Bondy, an avid tennis player himself, said this first step will be the catalyst for other components of the regional park.
"This is an important first step because it sets the groundwork. It gets the servicing and that kind of stuff in position so that the other facilities can grow from this. So, it's just a great win for the entire municipality," said Bondy.
Bondy credits Mark and Stephanie Chapados and others for their willingness to keep pushing a tennis dome.
"This is generational, this will hold for a long, long time and it will bring in things that we can't bring in now. [Right now] we can't bring in tournaments, we can't bring in lesson programming in the winter months. And it also adds more courts to the municipality on top of just the indoor aspect of it," Bondy said.
Stephanie Chapados told CK News Today she and her husband Mark were tired of traveling to other communities to play tennis during the winter and want to grow the sport in Chatham-Kent.
"We want to grow tennis here, not only in the community, but hopefully regionally as well. This is a big win for everyone," said Chapados.
Ten pickleball courts, a cricket pitch, an outdoor pitch primarily for rugby, two sports courts, a playground and open play area, and a recreational trail are also planned for the regional park.
