The Town of Newmarket is set to finalize a new pickleball facility at George Richardson Park.
The town is planning to take a soccer field at the Bayview Parkway site for the facility but has shifted the exact location due in part to feedback from nearby residents.
At its Feb. 26 committee of the whole meeting, council will also consider new parking restrictions and a new sidewalk on Bayview Avenue.
Here is what NewmarketToday will be following:
Pickleball facility
The new home for a pickleball facility in town could at last be finalized.
Town staff are proposing to place the facility on the soccer field at the south end of George Richardson Park. The town plans for the facility to have 14 to 20 courts with the possibility of bubbling. A clubhouse facility is also planned.
“This site provides an ideal location within the park,” a staff report said, adding that the location was previously removed from consideration in December “as staff were not confident that an alternative full-sized soccer field could be realized. Upon further review and positive discussions with potential partners, staff no longer have that concern. “
This represents a shift from a previously proposed location at the park's north end as some residents expressed concern about the proximity to their homes, as well as possible parking challenges.
Staff also considered Lions Park for the facility but found the location unsuitable. That location also got pushback for replacing tennis courts and the possible loss of the community hockey rink that uses the site in the winter.
Parking changes
Bolton Avenue, Eden Court and Watson Avenue parking all came under examination, but staff are only recommending changes at Watson Avenue.
Staff completed reports highlighting the three streets. The report on Watson found that with an average daily volume of 450 vehicles, more development in the area and community support based on four households, no parking signs on the street near Lundy’s Lane should be changed to “no stopping at any time signs.”
But public favour was not found at Bolton Avenue, as 10 households sent letters and only one returning a response to the town.
Similarly, staff examined a no-parking zone for Eden Court, sending letters to four households. One household was in favour, one against, with two non-responses, not meeting the 60 per cent threshold for a change.
Sidewalk addition
Council will ask the Regional Municipality of York to install a sidewalk on Bayview Avenue.
The motion brought forward by Councillor Grace Simon asks the region to install a sidewalk on the east side of Bayview Avenue from the intersection of Brooker Ridge in Newmarket toward St. John’s Sideroad.
The town is streaming the council meeting at 1 p.m. You can view the meeting at newmarket.ca/meetings or attend in person at 395 Mulock Dr. You can also arrange a deputation or send correspondence by emailing [email protected].
