Cookstown is about to net a few new options for recreation.
The Town of Innisfil is planning to build out the Phase 3 addition to Cookstown Community Park, located at 20 Church St., beside the village’s branch of the Innisfil ideaLAB and Library. This work will include the construction of three courts (two for pickleball, one for tennis), links to the existing limestone trail, as well as the placement of more trees, lights, benches and waste bins. It'll cost about $1.1 million and is scheduled to start in the spring.
Phase 3 should open by fall.
Innisfil capital engineering manager Jeremy Dutka says new courts align with recommendations set out in the town’s Land and Lake plan, which was completed in 2023.
"A key component … was gathering feedback from residents that provided input into the vision for our future goals and objectives, including desired enhancements to activities within our parks,” he said. “Specifically, one of the items identified in the plan is the community interest in additional courts for net sports, both pickleball and tennis, and the Cookstown Community Park was identified as one of the locations for new courts.”
In collaboration with the Cookstown Agricultural Society and Cookstown Curling Club, the town will also add more parking spaces behind the neighbouring curling club to accommodate visitors.
The first two phases of this $2.3-million project have been completed over the last decade. It started with the installation of a splash pad, basketball court and playground in 2014, then grew to include an ice rink, stage, fitness equipment and developed trails in 2019.
Dutka says the new courts should help alleviate some of the concern over the lack of facilities for net sports in town.
“The town is mindful that while this project does not address all concerns raised and that more facilities will be necessary, it does provide additional capacity for net sports (both pickleball and tennis),” he said. “In alignment with the Land and Lake plan, the town will continue to identify and develop additional locations based on budget approvals.”
More details on the Cookstown project can be found at innisfil.ca.
