The City of Richmond is planning to spend $800,000 to build four new pickleball courts at South Arm Community Park.
This project is one of 78 included in the city's proposed 2025 Capital Budget, which will total $152.6 million if approved by Richmond city council.
According to a city staff report, pickleball has become a "fast growing sport in North America" and is expected to keep growing.
To meet demand, the city is proposing more courts in addition to the nine built in 2020 at Hugh Boyd and South Arm Community parks.
About 41 per cent of the proposed budget is recommended for infrastructure programs. This includes $27.5 million for flood protection, covering upgrades to dikes, drainage pump stations, canal stability and utilities.
The city is also allocating $10.5 million to repair the Seine Net Loft building at Britannia Shipyards.
This historical building needs envelope and structural upgrades due to deterioration from environmental conditions. New additional foundation replacements are also needed, reads the report.
Meanwhile, $5.3 million is being set aside for replacing Richmond Fire-Rescue vehicles.
The city previously approved a $6-million budget to replace four frontline firetrucks. However, the order and delivery delays from 20 to 36 months has increased costs to $11 million, requiring an extra $5 million.
Additionally, $3 million will be used to replace a new fire prevention investigation vehicle and a battalion chief supervisory/command vehicle.
The capital budget also reserved $11 million for its land program. This includes $10 million for land acquisition and $1 million for preloading costs on previously acquired property to "improve soil bearing capacity and readiness for future housing construction," according to the report.
Other highlighted projects in the 2025 capital budget include:
- $7 million to install electric vehicle stations within the city
- $4.5 million to renew the interior of the Richmond Ice Centre
- $2.5 million to install public safety cameras at 10 intersections
- $1.5 million to renew Hugh Boyd Community Park playground
- $1.5 million to repair city's box culvert inspection program
- $400,000 for South Dyke Trail enhancements
The 2025 capital budget will be discussed at city council's finance committee meeting on Dec. 2.
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