Tennis Canada and Rogers open first year-round covered courts in communities across Canada
Fully accessible, year-round tennis is now a reality for thousands of Canadians in 4 communities who received funding earlier this year as part of a joint $5.6 million multi-year investment and partnership between Rogers and Tennis Canada to build 160 new year-round courts at up to 30 facilities by 2029
Through the Year-Round Community Tennis Court Program, presented by Rogers, construction is complete on existing outdoor tennis courts in Markham and Ancaster (Ontario), Calgary (Alberta) and soon, Waterloo (Quebec). They now feature a “tennis bubble” or covered courts to enable community members to play any time of the year, including in the winter months.
The national program was created to address the fact that there is currently only one year-round court for every 50,000 Canadians, despite a 2018 survey that revealed more than half of Canadians would play more tennis if they had access to convenient and affordable covered courts.
Rogers is committed to making sports and play more accessible for youth, communities and the next generation of athletes, by investing in sports programs and infrastructure across Canada. This commitment comes to life through this partnership with Tennis Canada, and other initiatives including supporting Jays Care Foundation.
“We would like to thank our partner Rogers for their support in making these projects a reality through the instrumental capital seed money they have provided. Our thanks must also go to the municipalities of Markham, Ancaster, Waterloo and Calgary, as well as the local operators at each of the clubs. These projects are just the first of many as we continue to deliver on our promise to make year-round tennis available to Canadians across the country.”
– Michael Downey, President and Chief Executive Officer, Tennis Canada
As momentum for the Year-Round Community Tennis Courts Program presented by Rogers continues to grow, you can learn more about the program and email coveredcourts@tenniscanada.com to find out how you can help kick start a project in your municipality.
Various dignitaries, including Michael Downey, President and Chief Executive Officer of Tennis Canada, Karl Hale, President, Premier Racquets Club Markham, Andy Sutton, Tennis Director, Premier Racquets Club Markham, Frank Scarpitti, Mayor, the City of Markham, Caroline Cameron, Sportsnet Host and Rogers representative, and Canadian tennis legend Daniel Nestor attended the opening ceremony held at Premier Racquet Clubs in Markham, Ontario on Thursday, October 27.
Various dignitaries, including Kerry Radigan, President of Ancaster Tennis Club, Matt Koevoets, Past President, Engineer, Ancaster Tennis Club, Michelle Burjaw, Eva Havaris, VP Participation and Partnership, Tennis Canada, Anita Comella, Senior Director of Facilities Development, Tennis Canada, Suzanne Dekay, Vice Chair, OTA, Philippe Oille, President of Southwestern Ontario Region, Rogers Communications and Mustapha Jamal, Ancaster Tennis Club Director Of Operations and Head Tennis Pro attended the opening ceremony held at Ancaster Tennis Club in Hamilton, Ontario on Thursday.
Various dignitaries, including Ron Ghitter, Chair of the Board, OSTEN & VICTOR Alberta Tennis Centre, Danny Da Costa, CEO, OSTEN & VICTOR Alberta Tennis Centre, Larry Goerzen, SVP Sales, Rogers Communications,, Anita Comella, Senior Director of Facilities Development, Tennis Canada, Richard Gotfried, MLA Calgary Fish Creek, Jyoti Gondek, Mayor of Calgary, Kourtney Penner, Councillor City of Calgary, Sheila Taylor, CEO, Parks Foundation of Calgary, and Calgary National Bank Challenger player Sabine Lisicki, attended the opening ceremony held at OSTEN & VICTOR Alberta Tennis Centre in Calgary, Alberta on Saturday.