Outdoor tennis and pickle ball courts set to re-open. (ID 41345 © Christineg | Dreamstime.com)

By Keaton Brown

Making a Racquet

Outdoor tennis and pickle ball courts set to re-open across the province

May 29, 2020 | 12:57 PM

Another set of individual outdoor sports are set to return to the province as the Re-Open Saskatchewan plan continues to roll out.

The Government of Saskatchewan has given municipalities in the province the green light to start opening their outdoor tennis and pickle ball courts.

The provincial government released a statement that outdoor tennis courts in the province can begin to reopen “at the discretion of the facility operator as an individual outdoor activity following the (physical distancing and other safety) guidelines.”

The province also said that the opening of the courts is contingent on the postponement of all tournaments, lessons and leagues as well as the closure of clubhouses.

North Battleford City Manager Randy Patrick said that they received word from the province Thursday afternoon that they could begin the process for re-opening the courts.

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“The province just sent us a note saying we can open up tennis courts,” he said. “We have to get some signage in place and get the places cleaned up,” he added.

North Battleford Mayor Ryan Bater said they hope to have the courts open by June 5. He explained using the courts will require residents to follow their new guidelines.

“There won’t be any more than ten people allowed to gather there. Physical distancing has to be observed, obviously, and you can’t be sharing equipment,” he said. “There have been some suggestions that you should not even touch the same ball if you can help it. Mark your balls and when you have to pick one up only pick up the ones you’ve been touching,” he added.

Bater said he was excited to see more outdoor activities get the green light so residents of the Battlefords can get back to doing some of their regular outdoor activities.

“It is something a little bit new and we do have a lot of tennis players and we have an awful lot of pickle ball players in our community,” he said.

Playground structures, skate parks and other outdoor facilities will remain closed until the province gives municipalities the all clear to open them back up.

—

Keaton.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow