Pickleball Lands Sponsorship Deal For New Facility

Work on a new pickleball facility in Vernon could start in a couple weeks.

The Vernon Pickleball Club is using its own funding, along with a $300,000 grant from the Regional District of North Okanagan, for a 12 court facility in Marshall Field.

Don Friesen from the club — who will be building the facility — says they hope to have something ready in time for the BC 55 Plus Games in September.

“That means we’ll have pavement done and have a facility in place. It may not be completely painted and shiny, but it’ll be in place,” Friesen tells Kiss FM.

The group has also secured a five year sponsorship deal from Okanagan Wealth Advisors/Hollis Wealth.

Principal Trevor Perepolkin says the new facility will be good for the community, people’s health, and the city’s economy.

“It’s the most significant thing I’ll ever do in my life, I’m sure,  as far as community support is concerned, but I think it’s a great thing,” Perepolkin tells Kiss FM.

Financial terms of the deal are not being released.

Friesen says they face some challenges at the Marshall Field site as they have to move the irrigation system, a high voltage power line, a transformer, a water line, and a fire hydrant before construction can start.

“Our engineering is just being completed on all of those designs to move those systems,” says Friesen.

He adds a geo-tech engineering study turned out very well for using that site.

The association has just over 300 members.

The new courts are expected to cost about $600,000.