2023 SEASON AND MEMBERSHIP UPDATE

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. 

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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?

Yes! Register today

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 and participate in pickleball programs.

WHAT ARE THE MEMBERSHIP PRICES?

MTC tennis membership rates for 2023 remain the same as 2022 for all members. Although inflation has risen significantly (almost 7%) in the last year, we have not increased our member rates in acknowledgement that there will be some adjustments for members. 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 2023.. 

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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 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.

HAS THE MTC CONSIDERED QUIETER BALLS/AND OR PICKLEBALL PADDLES?

We purchased some quiet "green zone" Pickleball paddles and foam balls. Pickleball board members and their friends tested them. Apparently the quiet paddles made little difference in sound. The foam balls were extremely quiet but they play differently and are very susceptible to wind.

HAS THE MTC CONSIDERED ACOUSTIC FENCING?

Yes. Unfortunately this option has several drawbacks

- It is extremely expensive 

- To be at all effective it would have to be put on at least three sides of the entire playing surface, increasing costs 

- It obscures sight lines, which has potential negative impacts for the park

- In the absence of City standards, we cannot be certain it would dampen the noise sufficiently to allow play at Centennial park

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In any case Dan Chenier told the MTC April 13 that noise mitigation fencing will not sufficiently dampen the sounds since the courts are too close to residences (as little as 13m).