Residents in St. Thomas can now head outdoors to enjoy racket sports as the city officially opened its tennis and pickleball courts for the 2026 spring season on April 2, 2026.
The outdoor courts are located at Pinafore Park at 45 Parkside Drive and at Goddeeris Luyks Park at 465 Burwell Road. These facilities are available for free public use daily, weather permitting, as the city transitions into the warmer months.
Pinafore Park features eight tennis courts and eight pickleball courts, while the location at Goddeeris Luyks Park offers four pickleball courts. To protect the quality of the playing surfaces, the city closes these outdoor facilities during the winter, typically keeping them available from late spring through the fall.
The city manages these spaces through a Tennis and Pickleball Court Usage Policy to balance casual play with organized activities. For instance, local high schools have reserved six of the eight pickleball courts at Pinafore Park for student physical education during weekdays in May from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The growth of these facilities stems from a decade of local interest, starting when the St. Thomas Pickleball Club was founded in 2013 by Dave and Helen Hall. The city later invested in significant upgrades at Pinafore Park in 2017, replacing aging tennis infrastructure and adding the dedicated pickleball courts. Additionally, the Pinafore Tennis Club has utilized the park since its own founding in 2018.
Looking to the future, St. Thomas City Council approved plans in 2023 for a potential winter dome over the Pinafore Park courts. This project aims to eventually allow for year-round play through a partnership with a private operator.
For more information on the facilities and court usage, residents can visit the official City of St. Thomas website.
