Fairmont pickleball players, rejoice.
The Fairmont and District Lions Club is one of 16 recipients of Columbia Basin Trust outdoor recreation grants, totaling $1.06 million.
The $83,000 will let the club build two pickleball courts in Fairmont Lions Wilder Park. These will be able to host casual or organized matches, practices and competitions. Experienced players will have a place to play and new players will be exposed to the game’s benefits in a fun and friendly environment.
“Pickleball is a highly social game played by all age groups, from youth to seniors, plus is easy to learn, enhances quickness of mind and builds faster reflexes,” said treasurer Norbert Schab. “The value is found in the exercise and social experience — both extremely important to maintaining healthy and vibrant communities.”
“A healthy person is the foundation for a healthy community, which in turn contributes to a healthy region,” said Justine Cohen, manager, delivery of Benefits, Columbia Basin Trust.
“Creating and improving outdoor recreational assets for all ages, all abilities and a range of interests broadly improves well-being, which is a priority of people in the Columbia Basin.”
The money is targeted at spaces like bike parks, multi-use sports courts and community playgrounds.
Other projects include $11,400 to the Cranbrook Disc Golf Club to build a new intermediate-level nine hole disc golf course in Moir Park; $39,000 to the SYS.tem Elkford
Youth Network to enhance the Elkford skatepark by adding new features to bring it up to
current safety and user standards; $100,000 to the City of Fernie to build a covered area over the new skatepark to allow for extended-season use; and $101,5000 to the Columbia Valley Minor Baseball Association to improve safety and accessibility for players and spectators at Rotary Ball Park.