Source: City of Brandon Media Release - December 9, 2024
Brandon, MB – The City of Brandon is thrilled to announce a groundbreaking partnership with Wheat City Tennis and Pickleball Hub to bring state-of-the-art indoor pickleball courts to the heart of Brandon. This exciting development marks a significant milestone in the City's ongoing efforts to enhance recreational facilities and promote community well-being.
The new indoor court sport facility, to be constructed on formerly city-owned lands at 1411, 1305, and 1201 Pacific Avenue, was sold to Wheat City Tennis and Pickleball Hub for $1 for the purpose of brining a new indoor recreation facility to downtown Brandon. The 35,000 sq. ft. indoor court sport facility will feature 14 pickleball courts, or alternatively, 6 pickleball courts and 2 tennis courts. This project is a testament to the City of Brandon's commitment to revitalizing the downtown area and providing residents with top-notch recreational amenities.
The City of Brandon has designated the project site as a community revitalization property, that included the land sale and a 10-year 100% incremental municipal tax reduction. This strategic investment aligns with the Downtown Secondary Plan and the Recreation Master Plan, both of which emphasize the importance of accessible recreational facilities in fostering a healthy, active community.
Mayor Jeff Fawcett shared his excitement about the new development: “This partnership is a shining example of how we can work together to enhance our community. The new indoor pickleball courts will provide a state-ofthe-art recreational outlet for our residents and attract visitors to our downtown area, boosting local businesses and fostering a sense of community.”
Mr. Greenwood, a partner in the ownership group of Wheat City Tennis and Pickleball Hub who operates successful pickleball facilities in Regina and Saskatoon, expressed his enthusiasm for the project. “I’m very pleased and excited to bring this facility to Brandon. Regina and Saskatoon are remodels, where Brandon is designed specifically from the ground up, giving it the best traits from the many venues I’ve played at in North America. This will be a very positive improvement to both the city and the fast-growing pickleball community.”
Mr. Schultz, a partner in the ownership group of Wheat City Tennis and Pickleball Hub, a local builder who operates Concept Homes, shares “As an avid pickleball player and a local builder, I was excited to jump in with both feet to be a part of this project. Pickleball has been a favourite sport of mine since I first played with my father in Saskatoon at one of the facilities started by Phil Greenwood. Now, my wife and our 4- and 6-year-old children play the sport whenever we get the chance. It is exciting to be a part of this project that is going to help re-shape the landscape of Brandon’s downtown to help growth of pickleball in the Brandon area.”
“This facility has the potential to spur increased pedestrian presence and overall economic activity in the downtown and Brandon in general. As an organization mandated to drive the revitalization of downtown Brandon, we see the alignment of this project with the Downtown Brandon Secondary Plan. This investment can simultaneously increase home values in the downtown neighborhood, generate more sales for local businesses, and attract new jobs and employees.” – Emmanuel Ahaneku, Executive Director, Brandon Downtown Development Corporation.
“This indoor sports facility is fantastic on multiple fronts. For the local pickleball and tennis community it will be a huge boon to have a dedicated indoor space for our long winters. For all residents, it’s an increased opportunity for winter sports; and for downtown Brandon it is a fresh project to utilize an undeveloped space into something beneficial for so many. The BIZ is excited for the project and looks forward to continuing collaborations with the Wheat City Tennis and Pickleball Hub.” - Emmy Sanderson, Brandon Downtown BIZ Executive Director.
The new facility is expected to attract substantial foot traffic, with projections ranging from 12,000 visitors in the first year to nearly 60,000 by the tenth year. This influx of visitors will benefit local businesses and contribute to the overall economic development of the downtown area.
Construction is set to begin soon, with the facility anticipated to open its doors to the public by Fall 2025, weather dependent. The City of Brandon and Wheat City Tennis and Pickleball Hub look forward to celebrating the grand opening of this landmark project and welcoming the community to enjoy the new indoor pickleball courts.
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