By Adam Ophus

Pickleball courts ready

Town opening Lou Sopitt centre up to sporting groups

Nov 3, 2020 | 8:44 PM

In an effort to help better utilize Town spaces, Rocky Mountain House will be temporarily making the Lou Soppit Community Centre available for sporting groups.

During the COVID-19 pandemic individuals outside of school have been unable to use Town facilities for various sporting activities until further notice.

Administration told town council that due to many events being cancelled and few new bookings happening, the Lou Soppit centre has gone largely unused.

Different groups and organizations throughout the community had been using the schools for their sporting activities.

Director of Recreation & Community Services Wes Amendt noted that groups interested in booking the Lou Soppit Community Centre were the local pickleball and badminton groups that had been affected by school closures. He said volleyball would not be permitted as it ran the risk of damaging the area.

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The Lou Soppit Community Centre will also be promoted to the community as a place individuals can book and play court sports such as badminton, floor hockey, or spikeball.

To offset the costs for the facility the Town will be charging $33/hour for the entire space, or $11/hour per court.

Amendt said staff tested out the newly formed sporting area by setting up three temporary pickleball/badminton courts.

“The courts are in place and ready to use,” he said.

The Town of Rocky Mountain House has assured that cleaning will be conducted to meet all AHS guidelines and it will still remain that any groups or leagues that use the area will have to adhere to a maximum of 50 people.

Any events considered “regular” bookings for the Lou Soppit Community Centre will be given priority, and any sport group bookings will be canceled or rescheduled.