McMullen Park Court Upgrades

Jeff Green | Sep 06, 2023

It was all about tennis (basketball and shuffleboard) at McMullen Park last Wednesday, (August 30) when South Frontenac Township Staff, politicians, and some sporting kids, and youth, got together to celebrate the completion of an upgrade to what is now the centre for tennis, in South Frontenac.

The courts include a thin basketball court, a shuffleboard pad, and two full size tennis courts.

In line with the township’s Recreation Master Plan, each of the 5 court facilities in the township has its own focus, based on proximity to other courts, and demonstrated community need. McMullen Park is the only two court tennis facility in the township. The other stand-alone tennis courts are located in Sydenham, at the Point Park, and in Godfrey, at the Glendower Park (which is nearing completion).

There are also combination Tennis/Pickleball courts at Centennial Park, in Harrowsmith and at Gerald Ball Park, in Sunbury.

There are 4 stand alone pickleball courts at both Centennial Park and Gerald Ball Park, and 2 stand alone pickleball courts at both the Point, and Glendower Park.

“We’ve had several community members express interest in forming a formal tennis club. The Sydenham High School tennis team is also excited about being able to access high quality courts,” said Tim Laprade, Manager of Recreation and Facilities for South Frontenac. “There hasn’t been a location in South Frontenac that has two tournament-sized doubles tennis courts that can support any of these activities, until now.”

As part of the opening ceremonies, some of the youngsters (including the Mayor and this reporter) participated in a skills contest, followed by some tennis instruction by Tony Roth of the Kingston Tennis Club. Other members of council who were on hand, including Bedford Councillor Steve Pegrum, Portland Councillor Ray Leonard, and Storrington Councillor Norm Roberts, all took turns on the shuffleboard court.