As local residents anticipate potential new recreational facilities in the area, The Meaford Independent connected with the founders of the Georgian Bay Racquets Initiative to learn more about their much-discussed indoor tennis proposal currently being considered by Council at the Town of The Blue Mountains. Here’s what they had to say:
Q: What kickstarted this community project?
A: “The tennis community has long sought a reliable, dedicated indoor facility. Few may realise that in 2021, the Town of the Blue Mountains commissioned the Leisure Activities Plan—at significant taxpayer expense—which, after consultant review, identified an indoor tennis facility as a top priority. Yet, for years, little progress was made toward delivering on that priority. That’s why the Initiative was formed—to give locals a way to push for a racquet facility in a centralised, organised manner. We’re a grassroots movement—just a group of volunteers.”
Q: Can you explain the difference between community/public tennis and a private racquet club?
A: “Yes, these are two distinct models for delivering racquet sports. The private model, due to high land costs and construction codes, inevitably results in high user fees. This can create a financial barrier, making indoor tennis inaccessible for some in the community.
The community/public model is different—it’s more inclusive and is becoming increasingly common across Ontario. Typically, the town maintains a bank of outdoor courts (ideally four or more), and in winter, a commercial operator sets up a bubble over them, paying the town rent for seasonal use. This system benefits everyone: the town earns rental revenue, the community gets access to indoor tennis at affordable rates (since setup costs for the operator are lower, and court fees are often price-controlled in the lease), and the courts are protected from harsh winter conditions.
However, for this model to work, the operator needs a bank of at least four courts, which our region currently lacks. That’s why we’re pushing to establish one.
It’s worth noting that a commercial operator isn’t always the one providing the bubble—sometimes, a not-for-profit community organisation takes on this role, raising funds for the bubble and installing it themselves. In essence, the courts remain open to the public in summer, then get domed in winter, allowing for affordable community tennis.”
Q: Is it true the Town of Blue Mountains already has approximately $365,000 set aside in its budget for enhancing tennis facilities in the area?
A: “Yes, the Town has specifically earmarked $365,000 in its capital budget for tennis facility improvements. In our December deputation to Council, we outlined how these dedicated funds could realistically be used to expand an existing bank of two courts to four and resurface them—all within budget—creating the exact configuration needed for a viable community indoor tennis program.”
Q: Do you want the Town to purchase the indoor structure itself?
A: “There are several models where the Town of the Blue Mountains wouldn’t need to purchase the indoor structure or be directly involved in that aspect of the facility. Town Staff are currently reviewing all options, and a report outlining the different models will be presented to Council at the end of May.”
Q: Has a suitable location been identified?
A: “One of the biggest misconceptions we run into locally is the idea that we can somehow just pick any location we want! That’s absolutely not how this process works—we’re entirely limited by what properties the Town has available. For a Town site to be viable, there are many headline factors to consider, including zoning (or the potential for rezoning), sufficient space for at least four courts, and access to essential utilities like water and gas. These utilities are critical—an indoor bubble or structure depends on them. Take the Tomahawk Recreation Complex, for example—it’s not feasible, not just because it lacks these services, but also due to zoning issues, which the Town has confirmed.
So to navigate these location constraints, the Town is taking a two-pronged approach. First, they’ve just released a public survey looking at potential amenities for 130 King St W—a site that meets the headline criteria I just mentioned—this survey, which closes on May 2, includes a question about indoor tennis facilities, which we appreciate. Another aspect making this site a contender is that there are also two courts there that are in immediate need of renovation. Second, Town staff are conducting a thorough assessment of all possible Town-owned locations that could support this type of facility, as directed by Council. Both the survey results and the location assessment report are expected to go to Council on May 26, ensuring they have all the necessary information to hand to make an informed decision then on the next steps.”
Q: Where is the nearest dedicated indoor tennis facility for people who live in the area?
A: “The closest dedicated indoor tennis facilities are in Midhurst and Orangeville, more than 70km away. South Georgian Bay is essentially an indoor tennis desert, leaving kids, adults, and seniors without a reliable year-round option. This gap has persisted for years, which is why we’re pushing for a community facility that serves everyone. Tennis should be a year-round sport here, especially given that The Blue Mountains prides itself on being a four-season recreation hotspot.”
Q: How does the Town’s upcoming assessment on a Multi-Use Recreation Facility (MURF) fit in with all of this?
The Town of the Blue Mountains’ $365,000 tennis allocation is entirely separate from the MURF assessment, representing distinct planning streams. Indoor tennis requires a specialized, single-purpose facility with specific surfaces and configurations that don’t align with multi-use designs. That’s why every community indoor tennis facility in Ontario operates as a standalone venue—we’ve found no examples of successful tennis facilities integrated into MURFs. Like golf courses, tennis courts need dedicated space rather than shared multi-sport surfaces with overlapping lines. Evidence from communities across Ontario confirms that tennis facilities work best when purpose-built and independent from MURFs.
Q: Do you have a proposed name for the facility?
We’re currently leaning toward ‘Georgian Bay Community Racquet Centre’ to reflect its role as an inclusive, welcoming hub for South Georgian Bay. That said, it’s still early, and the name could evolve based on community input. In the future, there may also be opportunities for sponsorships or naming rights to help support the facility, ensuring it remains affordable and accessible for all.
The Georgian Bay Racquets Initiative encourages all residents interested in community tennis facilities to participate in the Town of the Blue Mountains public consultation process by completing the survey by May 2, and attending the upcoming Council (Committee of the Whole) meeting on May 26.
“Year-round tennis offers physical, social, and mental health benefits for people of all ages, and we’re excited to continue working with the Town to explore the best solution for our community,” said the group’s spokesperson.
The Initiative’s website is georgianbayracquets.ca and they can be contacted via email: hello@georgianbayracquets.ca
For more information visit: https://georgianbayracquets.ca/
