Toronto to charge for access to public tennis courts
Pilot project starting next year at four tennis courts outside downtown core intended to better manage play system

metronews.ca
Aug. 26, 216
By Gilbert Ngabo

The city is exploring a pay-to-play option for its public tennis courts.

Starting April next year, a pilot project will be launched at four public courts in Toronto, allowing people to purchase a one-hour permit via an online booking system.

Currently, access to public courts is free on a first come, first serve basis.

Coun. Joe Mihevc said the city isn’t looking to make any extra money but simply test if the new approach could better manage access to public tennis courts.

“In the vast majority of downtown wards, we don’t have even enough courts to accommodate tennis lessons for kids,” he said.

“If people are being squeezed out, then that’s not a good system, and something needs to change.”

Mihevc said the pilot will be implemented outside the downtown core first, and a decision to expand it or stop it altogether will be made after evaluation.

The city’s parks, forestry and recreation committee hasn’t set the price for the permit yet, but Mihevc hopes it’ll be affordable.

“You want to make sure it’s not just for the rich people,” he said.

Kew Gardens tennis club manager Neil McKechnie said needs to better maintain its existing courts in order to attract users.

“Down the street from us there are two public courts but no one uses them because they’re in very bad shape,” he said.

“I’m a firm believer in inclusion and giving access to all, but unfortunately it’s not going to happen until there are more courts with decent maintenance.”