“Pickleball Lives in Piccadilly” – Frances Smith

Jeff Green | Mar 19, 2025

It was not exactly a royal proclamation, but the highest elected official in Central Frontenac made the decree, after a vote by Council to reverse a previous decision to ban the popular sport from inside the hall, because of concerns over damages.

The ban, which came into force after a motion was passed by the same council in January, came about after the township paid $2,500 for repairs to the hall, damage that was blamed on Pickleball being played there.

But when two members of the District 4 (Hinchinbrook) Rec Committee came to Council, they said that the Pickleball that took place in the Hall happened in mid-2023, and the repairs took place in the fall of 2024, and the damage was not likely caused by Pickleball, but by some other use of the hall that took place later on.

Based on that information, a motion to reconsider that decision was brought forward to the regular council meeting, on March 11.

Most of the conversation around the council table centred around how to ensure that damages to community halls are property attributed and paid for by users.

But before that, Councillor Nicki Gowdy pulled out a yellow Pickleball to pass around the table.

“I spent some time tossing balls at the walls,” she said.

Mayor Smith got a hold of it, and when Councillor Klages put her hand up, Smith tossed the ball to her, much to Klages surprise.

“You were putting your hand up to speak,” said Smith, “I thought you wanted the ball”.

After a moment, Klages brought the conversation back to how to make sure that damages to the halls from user groups are accounted for and paid, including by Rec. Committees who do not pay a $100 damage deposit, like other users do.

CAO Kathy MacMunn said she will come back to Council with a more defined procedure to handle potential damage in all township halls.

In a recorded vote, the motion on the table to allow Pickleball to be played at Piccadilly Hall was approved easily. Frances Smith, however, cast an opposing vote in a losing cause

“No,” she said when her turn came. I think Pickleball in Piccadilly should be played outside.”

Planning Report

Joe Gallivan, Director of  Planning and Economic Development for Frontenac County, presented the two year work plan for the planning department.

In addition to county level planning work that is funded by county taxes, the department also provides contract planning services for Central Frontenac Township.

Planning applications in the township, and across the townships that use contract planning services from the county, (South Frontenac has its own department) have been steadily decreasing over the past four years.

Gallivan pointed out, however, that some planning applications are very simple, but some are much more complex.

“So the total number can be misleading, in terms of time spent working on these applications,” he said.

A large chunk of Gallivan's own time over the last couple of years has been devoted to a “Communal Servicing” project the county has been developing, which is designed to make it viable for small and medium scale developments with a common water and sewage system, to be built in Frontenac County. A corporation has been established to oversee these potential projects, and Central Frontenac will require an Official Plan amendment to decide where they can be located in Central Frontenac.

The former Sharbot Lake Public School has been identified as a potential pilot project that could benefit from communal servicing.

A public session is set for May 8^th, which will be promoted. Newterra, a Brockville based company that builds and maintains communal systems, will be at that meeting to explain how they work.

Sharbot Lake Causeway Bridge 

A new tender to replace some bearings under the bridge has resulted in a better price. Council approved a bid by DW Construction for $185,000 to do the work, which is expected to take place in June. The bridge will remain in service throughout the process, said Public Works Manager Steve Gould. This second tender went out in January, after pricing from a tender last fall came in at over $300,000, more than had been budgeted. The consultant on the project, Greer Galloway, suggested going back to tender early in the year, before construction companies had filled out their season, and it worked in this case.

Bunker Gear

Council approved a single source contract to purchase 10 sets of Emergency Services Personal Protective Equipment (aka bunker gear) for Central Frontenac firefighters, to supplement 58 sets that were purchased from the same company in 2018. The cost is just under $40,000.

The company that makes the gear is based in Quebec, and Fire Chief Chris McDonough said for continuity and quality, it was best to remain with the same supplier for new gear. The department has taken on 8 new recruits over the past year or so.

Construction report for February

Construction activity recovered somewhat in February, after stalling in January, with 8 permits being issued, including 2 for new residences (1 seasonal and one permanent). Construction value for the year is now at $845,000, off from $1.85 million in the first two months of 2024, and $1.32 million in 2023.

By the end of February in 2024, permits for 6 new residences had been issued, and 5 were issued in the first two months of 2023.

Dillon said the department remains busy for now, with a large number of open files from last year.

Frances Smith asked Chief Building Official Andy Dillon about expectations for the construction season in the township and across the region.

“It is really hard to say,” said Dillon. I've talked with other CBO's, and most areas are down from other years, but no one knows what is going to happen this year.”

“It might be a year to clean up all the paperwork,” said Smith.

Mobile Dental Services

The South East  Health Unit – SEHU (formerly Kingston Frontenac Public Health) has approached the township for access to the four township halls in order to provide waiting rooms and washrooms for mobile dental clinics targeting the senior population, throughout the township. The clinics will be scheduled with township staff during weekdays when halls are available.

The township agreed to provide the use of the halls free of charge.