Caledonia pickleball park sod turning kicks off project construction

Excitement is building as construction on the Royal Canadian Legion-Caledonia Branch 154 Pickleball Courts began with an official sod-turning at Caledonia’s McKinnon Park on September 3.

Approved in August 2024 by Haldimand County Council through the Community Partnership Program, the four-court pickleball park budget included County grant funding of $207,500, leaving the community to raise approximately $250,000 before the project could begin. Just one year later, the Legion fundraising committee has reached and exceeded that goal.

“As the local Councillor, I couldn’t be more proud about how the Legion fundraising team has rallied the community behind this project, securing more than $270,000 in donations in one year,” says Ward 3 Councillor Dan Lawrence. “This facility will be an exceptional addition to the County’s recreation assets, with all the amenities and features that pickleball players have told us they wanted in community meetings.”

A legacy project from the Legion for the community, the new park amenity will include four large courts, a practice pad, ample seating and shade areas, lights and windscreens, fencing and a paved pathway from the parking lot. The design was developed following multiple community engagement opportunities and meetings.

“The Caledonia Legion Branch 154 was started by local and Six Nations veterans of the First World War with a mission that has continued to the day: ‘To serve Veterans, which includes serving military and RCMP members and their families (and) to promote Remembrance and to serve our communities and our country,’” says Legion Past President Brian Haggith and fundraising co-chair of the project. “This pickleball project is our legacy project to the community, recognizing and remembering the efforts and contributions of past and current members who have served our community.”

“When I heard about the Legion wanting to take on this project, I wanted to help out in any way I could, as my grandfather, a former Reeve for the town, was a founding member of the Caledonia Legion,” adds fundraising co-chair Ron Winegard. “I am also passionate about providing recreation for our residents and communities. I don’t play pickleball myself, but I know how popular it is, and I felt the time was right for Caledonia to have a dedicated pickleball park.”

Following a competitive bid process, Court Surface Specialists from Mississauga was awarded the construction contract. With considerable experience building courts throughout the province, the company’s staff includes the only tennis and pickleball builder in Canada certified by the American Sport Builders Association. Construction will take place during the next two months, with an anticipated opening in late October or early November. 

“Haldimand County Council is very fortunate to have these community partnership projects as they add so much value and vibrancy for our residents and communities,” says Haldimand County Mayor Shelley Ann Bentley. “Not only do they reflect what the community wants and needs, because it is community groups bringing forward these requests to staff, these partnerships allow the County to maximize its financial resources and create more amenities for residents of all ages.”

For more information about the Caledonia pickleball project, please contact partnerships@haldimandcounty.ca or 905-318-5932 ext. 6341.