Curious about pickleball but don’t want to buy a paddle in case it’s not really up your alley?
You don’t have to spend your hard-earned cash, you can go to the city’s OutDoor Rink – transformed into the sport court – at the Kin Centre and use the pickleball paddles and nets available through Selkirk’s equipment library.
The sport court is open daily, weather permitting, from 9am to 9pm this summer for all to enjoy. The equipment library is closed for lunch from 12:30-1pm.
Providing the best recreation opportunities, this one free
Previously only used for skating in the winter, the ODR is now in use year-round.
“The ODR was an under-used asset that had the potential to offer so much more to the community,” said Kyla Ray, the city’s Manager of Cultural and Recreational Programs.
“We were approached by organizations and community members on numerous occasions looking for space to play activities such as pickleball and basketball. Like most other communities, outdoor activities became so much more popular during the pandemic and with that came the demand for space to do it.”
The city applied for and received $30,000 in funding through the Healthy Communities Initiative, a $31 million investment from the Government of Canada to support communities as they create and adapt public spaces to respond to the new realities of COVID-19.
Selkirk’s application proposed an upgrade to the existing and under-utilized Kin Centre and ODR through the creation of a sport court in the centrally located ODR at the Kin Centre.
Basketball hoops have been installed and lines painted for that sport as well as pickleball, and the equipment library is stocked with tons of sporting equipment and games.
“We’re excited to offer pickleball nets, paddles and balls, ladder golf, disc golf, corn hole, giant Jenga, Spikeball and so much more all for free,” Ray said.
“We ask that you don’t hang from the basketball hoops. They’ve been damaged because of people hanging off them and replacing them is costly. If everyone uses them for their intended purpose, we will be able to continue to offer free basketball.”
Anyone aged 12 and up can check-out equipment on their own with a MB Health card or other ID including an address. Youth ages 11 and under must have a guardian check-out equipment for them.
You can also bring your own sports equipment if you like.
Promoting youth leadership, investing in our community
The equipment library is staffed in part by volunteers from the city’s Youth Leadership program, which encourages local youth to get involved in their community and initiate youth led initiatives. Young people choose an area of interest they would like to focus on and several of them chose to work with the equipment library alongside staff.
“Promoting youth leadership and making investments into our community’s human and social capital builds productivity, empowerment and productive members of society” said the city’s CAO Duane Nicol.
“Our Youth Leadership Program combines leadership training, teamwork, self-management and volunteering that will help build the confidence and connections that will ultimately lead to a more sustainable future. We are helping to inspire and grow our next community leaders,”
Ray extends her thanks to the volunteers from the programs and credits the extended hours to them.
The city is planning to expand what’s currently offered at the Kin over the next few years. Down the line is the addition of winter equipment to the library.
There are two bike racks at the sport court and soon to come are repair stations – where small repairs to bikes or skateboards can be done.
“We’re always looking for ways to encourage active transportation and by offering a fully equipped repair station, we’re going to make it that much easier for cyclists to maintain their bikes while on the go right in the heart of our city. You have a flat tire? Pump it up. You need a chain repair? You’ll be able to do that, too.”, said Nicol.
The sport court and equipment lending library are in line with the city’s Strategic Plan, that calls for the continual development of Selkirk’s natural features and outdoor spaces and to provide the best recreation opportunities for Selkirk residents.
Program details HERE
Equipment Available
- 24” Rainbow Parachute
- 40” Giant Soccer Ball
- 40” Giant Volleyball
- 24” D- Lite Balls
- Rainbow Hop- Along Bouncers
- Badminton Racquets & Birdies
- Plastic Lacrosse Sticks with Balls
- Regular Balls
- Collapsible Soccer Nets
- Rainbow Bean- Bags
- 3-in-1 Tailgate Combo
- Bocce Ball Set
- Croquet Set
- Disc Slam
- Disc Golf
- Hula Hoops
- Cones
- Potato Sac Race Sets
- Mini Sticks
- Mini Sticks Nets
- Regular Street Hockey Sticks
- Street Hockey Nets
- Yardzee
- Scoops Set
- Skipping Ropes
- Giant Jenga
- Balloons
- Balloons
- Bubble Wands
