SOCCER CENTRE PICKLEBALL COMPLEX
December 29, 2020 News
Construction Update
SPI is pleased to report that the flooring project at the Saskatoon Kinsmen/Henk Ruys Soccer Center continues to progress. Unlike the Fr. Basil Markle project which was a dedicated pickleball facility with an abundance of space, we are confined to a predetermined field of play that must be shared with three other sports (soccer, volleyball and ball hockey). Accordingly, we have had to determine the optimum placement of courts while at the same time avoiding line duplication with other sports. The color scheme had to be navigated in such a way that trade-offs were made so that each sport could enjoy sufficient line contrast without negatively impacting that of other sports. The overall layout and color scheme have now been finalized in conjunction with the other user groups.
The upgrade of the floor will encompass a poured floor using a product called Pulastic manufactured by Robbins Sports Surfaces. The supply of the product and installation will be through their local representative Centaur Products Inc. The product is similar to the surface in the Warman Legends Centre, although it will be installed over a “sprung” floor. It is very durable and carries a 25-year performance warranty.
The overall project budget, including flooring, nets and ancillary items is approximately $185,000, a sum that could not have been supportable by SPI on its own. We submitted a comprehensive and compelling proposal to the Jack Adilman fund and were able to secure almost $139,000 in funding. Jack Adilman, 1920-1992, prominent businessman, sportsman, and tireless supporter of amateur sports in Saskatoon established the fund through his estate in order to support amateur sport organizations in Saskatoon. The fund is administered by the City of Saskatoon on behalf of the estate. The remainder of the funding requirement was split between SPI and our partner Saskatoon Soccer Center Inc. (SSCI). Our respective investments will be recovered through an allocation of user fees after providing for incremental operating costs at SSCI.
Scheduling such an upgrade is no easy task. In normal times, accomplishing an upgrade in the early part of the year is difficult as this is the busiest part of the year for SSCI. When you add in the impact of Covid-19, the unknown variables become even more daunting. On the one hand the Covid-19 restrictions have offered a unique period of downtime in what would otherwise be a very busy time. However, these same restrictions could play havoc with material deliveries and site team availability. Assuming that materials and labour become available as planned, we are anticipating a start date of January 18th. A project of this size usually involves an installation time of 2 1/2 - 3 weeks with a further week for curing before use. Therefore, if all the stars line up, and Covid-19 restrictions are lifted, we could conceivably be looking at a mid-February availability date for pickleball play.
We cannot emphasize enough the cooperation and support we have been given by SSCI. They have been a critical partner in the selection and planning process and we have every confidence that this strong relationship will continue as we evolve into operations at their great facility in the Lawson Heights area.
Over time, we will be looking to develop programs for pickleball play. Our programs group is currently working to determine demand, operational alternatives and investigate best practices used by other clubs with indoor facilities. This is a complex exercise that will take some time to perfect so we anticipate a “soft start” with drop-in play until other desired alternatives can be investigated, planned and instituted. The fee structure will be determined in due course after consideration of expected operating costs and consultations to be held with SSCI.
There are lots of moving parts and many unknowns related to Covid-19, so we will keep you updated as the project progresses.
Ray Basler, SPI Project Manager
Project management team
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Artist rendition of the multi-sport floor at the Saskatoon Kinsmen/Henk Ruys Soccer Centre
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Removal of the old floor begins
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December 8, 2020 News
SASKATOON PICKLEBALL INC. SECURES NEW PARTNERSHIP
8 NEW INDOOR PICKLEBALL COURTS COMING TO SASKATOON!
Saskatoon Pickleball Inc. is very pleased to announce that we will be adding 8 new indoor pickleball courts in Saskatoon. We have partnered with the Saskatoon Soccer Centre (SSCI) to upgrade one of the indoor soccer pitches to accommodate pickleball at the Saskatoon Kinsmen/Henk Ruys Soccer Centre. In the past we had looked at the soccer center as a potential venue for pickleball, but the tiled floor was not conducive to pickleball as it produced erratic bounces or no bounce at all.
We have since investigated flooring alternatives and have recently partnered with the SSCI to pursue the installation of a seamless poured floor that will satisfactorily accommodate 8 pickleball courts while at the same time satisfy the needs of the existing volleyball and soccer programs. This flooring is similar to the floor in the Warman Legends Center and will go over top of the “sprung” floor at the soccer centre providing a cushioned product that will be very easy on muscles and joints. This flooring upgrade is very expensive and will involve sizeable investments by both SPI and SSCI. In addition, we were able to secure a substantial grant from the Jack Adilman Fund which is administered by the City of Saskatoon. Without this significant financial support from the Jack Adilman Fund, the project would not have been feasible.
Saskatoon Pickleball Inc. will be working with SSCI and the flooring contractor to finalize details and determine the best time to start installation given existing programming commitments and Covid-19 related restrictions. SPI volunteers will be required to remove the old tiled flooring prior to commencement of construction activities associated with the new flooring. In the meantime, we will be looking at programming options and user fees for the hours that have been dedicated to pickleball (daytime hours on Monday to Friday). Once operational, this new venue will require a lot of volunteer work for set up/tear down of nets, administration, monitoring play etc. so please be prepared to volunteer some time in order to make this new facility a huge success.
The Saskatoon Kinsmen Henk Ruys Soccer Centre is located just behind the Lawson Heights Civic Centre. It is an ideal facility with lots of parking, bright lighting and high ceilings. It has four indoor soccer pitches along with associated locker rooms and washroom facilities. It also has a large lounge on the second floor with seating that will overlook the pickleball courts. Most importantly, the management and staff at SSCI are keen to expand their user community and have worked well with SPI. They will be an excellent partner! More details will be forthcoming as things progress and we will keep you posted.
Saskatoon Pickleball Inc. Board of Directors
We have since investigated flooring alternatives and have recently partnered with the SSCI to pursue the installation of a seamless poured floor that will satisfactorily accommodate 8 pickleball courts while at the same time satisfy the needs of the existing volleyball and soccer programs. This flooring is similar to the floor in the Warman Legends Center and will go over top of the “sprung” floor at the soccer centre providing a cushioned product that will be very easy on muscles and joints. This flooring upgrade is very expensive and will involve sizeable investments by both SPI and SSCI. In addition, we were able to secure a substantial grant from the Jack Adilman Fund which is administered by the City of Saskatoon. Without this significant financial support from the Jack Adilman Fund, the project would not have been feasible.
Saskatoon Pickleball Inc. will be working with SSCI and the flooring contractor to finalize details and determine the best time to start installation given existing programming commitments and Covid-19 related restrictions. SPI volunteers will be required to remove the old tiled flooring prior to commencement of construction activities associated with the new flooring. In the meantime, we will be looking at programming options and user fees for the hours that have been dedicated to pickleball (daytime hours on Monday to Friday). Once operational, this new venue will require a lot of volunteer work for set up/tear down of nets, administration, monitoring play etc. so please be prepared to volunteer some time in order to make this new facility a huge success.
The Saskatoon Kinsmen Henk Ruys Soccer Centre is located just behind the Lawson Heights Civic Centre. It is an ideal facility with lots of parking, bright lighting and high ceilings. It has four indoor soccer pitches along with associated locker rooms and washroom facilities. It also has a large lounge on the second floor with seating that will overlook the pickleball courts. Most importantly, the management and staff at SSCI are keen to expand their user community and have worked well with SPI. They will be an excellent partner! More details will be forthcoming as things progress and we will keep you posted.
Saskatoon Pickleball Inc. Board of Directors
Eight court layout on the Uptown Orthodondics Soccer Pitch
ADDRESS & PHONE219 Primrose Drive
Saskatoon, SK, S7K 2J9 FACILITY SPECIFICS
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Courts Are Currently Under Construction
Saskatoon Pickleball Inc. will need volunteer support in a number of ways:
Programming Volunteer Coordination Volunteers for Daily Court Monitoring Anyone interested should contact the SPI Communications team pickleballnews@saskatoonpickleballinc.ca Anticipated Play Times will be: Monday - Friday Daytime Hours |
