2 weeks Ago By By Connor McDowell Local Journalism Initiative
Brandon’s downtown pickleball facility is behind schedule, but the owner plans to open some of the courts this fall. Read this article for free: Already have an account? As we navigate through unprecedented times, our journalists are working harder than ever to bring you the latest local updates to keep you safe and informed. Now, more than ever, we need your support.
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Brandon’s downtown pickleball facility is behind schedule, but the owner plans to open some of the courts this fall. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? Brandon’s downtown pickleball facility is behind schedule, but the owner plans to open some of the courts this fall. Joel Schultz, owner of the development company Concept Homes, told the Sun on Friday that the Wheat City Tennis and Pickleball Hub at 1201 Pacific Ave.
might not be completely finished by the company’s October target date. However, the courts situated on the fringe of the building should be ready by then, he said, even while the centre of the building remains under construction. The construction site of a pickleball complex on Pacific Avenue in downtown Brandon on Friday.
(Connor McDowell/The Brandon Sun) “On both the east and the west side, there’s four courts, and they have their own direct doors to the outside,” said Schultz. “So if nothing else, we will for sure have the west and east sections done and figure out a way to make those outside doors work to get people in and playing.” The fringe sections of the building are easier to complete because the two areas will consist mostly of courts, he said.
Difficulty comes at the centre of the building, where construction is planned for amenities, or what he called “the pretty stuff.” The current design for the main section of the building includes 24-foot-high walls, housing a ground level and an upstairs. The ground entrance will lead to a lounge, with a pro shop and doors to changing rooms.
Change rooms will lead to an area for hot tub, sauna and cold plunge. Upstairs will be a fitness gym and another lounge, with space to look out on the six courts in the main area. If construction remains behind schedule, the club portion of the facility may not be open by October.
The entire three-section facility will be designed for 14 pickleball courts, with some doubling to allow four tennis courts. The tennis courts are part of the east and west sections of the building. Patrick Belhumeur, a carpenter working at the site, power-drilled a large wooden frame on the exterior of the building Friday afternoon.
He told the Sun he was working on a window frame, measuring roughly 10 by 10 feet, facing Pacific Avenue, where an empty piece of land sits on the other side of the road. Expected to bring 12,000 visitors in its first year, the City of Brandon has referred to the pickleball project site as a revitalization property. It expects the project to be a boon to the downtown core and contribute to renewed life in the area.
While work is underway on the pickleball site, interest has also sparked in the empty lot across the street. Brandon’s director of planning and buildings, Ryan Nickel, on Friday said the city is also in talks with an interested party for a housing build across the street from the property. In a phone call with the Sun, Nickel said the city is finalizing an agreement with the party that would provide funding support if the property is used as planned to build housing.
“The hope is to see that property developed for residential uses,” said Nickel. “We’ll be able to share more information as that process moves forward.” The city has received conceptual plans for the property, but no formal application for a development.
Starting next week, Schultz said his team is set to begin pouring concrete for the building’s exterior walls. The walls will hopefully be completed in less than a month, then the team will focus on roofing, he said. “Starting next week, it will be full steam ahead.
” » [email protected], with files from Abiola Odutola Advertisement Advertisement.
