2024 SEASON AND MEMBERSHIP UPDATE
You can now register for a
- Regular membership, which includes tennis play in Manotick and outdoor pickleball play in North Gower.
Read the FAQ below to learn more about why we are in different locations.
2024 SEASON FAQ
FAQ Updated March 12
WHY ARE MEMBERSHIPS CHANGING FOR THE 2023 SEASON?
On March 17, the Manotick Tennis Club (MTC) was given written notice by the City of Ottawa that we will no longer be able to play pickleball at the existing courts in Centennial Park. A last ditch effort to salvage some sort of play at MTC was quashed by City GM Dan Chenier in a meeting on April 13. A high volume of noise complaints was the reason for stopping pickleball play. The City owns the courts, so if they say we can’t play, we can’t.
WILL THE MTC STILL OFFER PICKLEBALL IN 2023?
Yes. The MTC board, David Brown (City Councilor) and City of Ottawa staff have been working diligently to secure alternative locations for pickleball play for our members in 2023. Many options have been exhausted, including
Noise mitigation fencing at current site (see below for fuller answers)
Reduced playing hours at current site (rejected by Dan Chenier)
Playing with quieter equipment (rejected by Dan Chenier)
Relocating MTC pickleball to other community tennis courts nearby (see below for fuller answers)
The 2023 options are:
Outdoor play on some courts beside the Alfred Taylor Recreation Centre in North Gower. The North Gower Recreation Association has agreed to share their court surface with the MTC. The City has offered to paint pickleball courts on 50% of the existing playing surface and make these courts available for the MTC. The courts are lit and we will arrange access to washrooms and safe storage for nets. Play will be from 8:30am to 9pm daily (10pm Thursday and Friday.) Pickleball volunteers tried out the courts and found them playable, although they look ugly (cracks that have been filled.) These courts are scheduled for lifecycle replacement (complete rip-up and replace) in 2024.
Indoor play on arena slabs in Manotick and Richmond. The City has painted pickleball lines on these arena slabs to accommodate indoor play. Current schedule: Indoor daily play Monday to Thursday 8:30am-4pm Fridays 9am-8pm in Manotick, weekend play 9am to 1pm in Richmond.
The MTC will continue to offer pickleball leagues, clinics, and ladders, and allow members to book pickleball courts at the above locations through our registration system. Our goal is to offer different time options (daytime, evening, weekends) for pickleball programs, although locations may change throughout the season.
I AM A PICKLEBALL ONLY PLAYER. CAN I REGISTER FOR PICKLEBALL?
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR TENNIS PLAYERS?
There will be no interruption in tennis play apart from court maintenance. Tennis players will continue to be able to play on courts 1-5 throughout the season. We will be hiring a contractor early this season to return court 6 to a tennis court by removing pickleball lines and painting tennis lines.
WHAT IF I WANT TO PLAY TENNIS AND PICKLEBALL?
Register for a Regular Membership. Members who wish to play tennis will have access to tennis courts, the clubhouse, and will also be able to book pickleball courts. Only Pickleball only members will be allowed to take advantage of indoor play in April.
WHAT ARE THE MEMBERSHIP PRICES?
MTC tennis membership rates for 2024 remain the same as 2023 for all members. Although inflation has risen in the last year, we have not increased our member rates in acknowledgement that there may be some interruption in play for members as courts are rebuilt or repainted. Regular members will be able to play tennis and pickleball.
Pickleball membership pricing is discounted by 20%, acknowledging that not all member amenities will be available in 2024. For 2024, we have hired a Pickleball Pro, and are renting indoor time to enable players to tune up for the coming season.
Prices can be found on the membership page.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR PICKLEBALL IN OTTAWA?
At this time, pickleball players are still able to play pickleball on public courts in other parks, and at other clubs. While Manotick is the only court location in the City where pickleball is not allowed, Dan Chenier indicated that at least one other location has been instructed to not start play until 10am. One reason pickleball noise is such an issue in Manotick is the short distance between the courts and neighbouring properties (as little as 13m). Manotick is also a quiet neighbourhood with less ambient noise, so pickleball noise intrudes more.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR PICKLEBALL AT THE MTC IN 2024 AND BEYOND?
At this time, club board members and the City are committed to working together to provide playing opportunities for pickleball now and in the future. Although we cannot play pickleball in Centennial Park outdoors, we have formed a pickleball subcommittee of interested pickleball volunteers who are investigating other playing locations. The club is continuing to set aside operating surplus to fund capital expansion. But the future of the club is in the hands of our members, so we hope you will join us while we navigate these changes.
WHAT OTHER PICKLEBALL LOCATIONS FOR 2023 HAVE BEEN CONSIDERED?
Local community courts in other wards, including the courts in Rideau Forest on Scobie Drive, have been considered. The issues with these are:
- These community courts are in use by the community, so any club play would need to share access with community play. Many councillors are not keen to limit community access.
- There are only two tennis courts at these locations, so we would not be able to fit enough pickleball courts for the club on the surface and still allow sufficient community play.
- Courts are close to residences, so we and the appropriate City Councillors would have to undertake community consultations.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
GENERAL MEMBERSHIP
HOW MUCH IS A MEMBERSHIP AT MTC?
We have rates for adults, juniors, seniors and families. Please go to our membership page for this season's prices.
WHAT IF I WANT A REFUND ON MY MEMBERSHIP?
All memberships are non-refundable.
WHAT DO I GET WITH MY MEMBERSHIP?
In addition to our member benefits, regular members will receive an electronic key fob which will need to use to access to the courts and clubhouse. New regular members receive a key fob with their membership. Returning regular members who have lost their key fob can purchase a new one for $15.
Members can also vote in our Annual General Meeting.
WHAT IF I DON'T WANT TO BECOME A MEMBER?
You can still sign up for tennis or pickleball lessons if you are not a member. You can also be the guest of another member for a $10 fee per court booking, for a maximum of 3 visits per season. Or you can join us for free at one of our open houses!
WHAT IF I DON'T WANT TO REGISTER ONLINE?
HOW DO I ACCESS THE COURTS?
All members will need to bring their electronic key fob to access the courts.
Unless you are attending one of our tennis or pickleball programs, you will need to book a court before arriving.
Tennis players can scan the fob for entry into the club house and through to the tennis courts.
Pickleball players are asked to scan their fob at the club house and proceed to the side gate door. You can use the lock code provided to members to open the side gate.
WHAT IF I LOSE MY ELECTRONIC KEY FOB?
Please contact us at info@manoticktennisclub.com and let us know. There is a $10 fee for new and replacement electronic key fobs.