Racquet sports will have a new home at Kingston Racquet Centre

Kingston racquet sport enthusiasts will soon be able to enjoy their courts and sports year-round with the opening of the Kingston Racquet Centre in the city’s east end.

The Kingston Racquet Centre (KRC), located at 1025 Innovation Drive, is slated to open its doors on Monday, Oct. 31, 2022. According to a release from the KRC, the Centre features six indoor tennis courts, housed in a state-of-the-art facility, including fitness rooms, food and drink service, second story viewing mezzanine, lounge areas, shower and changeroom facilities, and more.

A separate dome, equally fitted with all the amenities, features 12 Pickleball courts and will be equipped as a multi-sport facility, the organization stated, noting that pickleball is growing rapidly across North America and is extremely popular in Kingston. In June, the City hosted the National Pickleball Championships, attracting over 900 participants, according to the release.

The Director of the KRC is Tony Roth, a Kingston native and graduate of Queen’s University. According to the release, Roth is one of the most experienced coaches and tennis development leaders in Canada, and the Founder of the Noble Tennis School.

When asked about the sense of excitement building for this opening, Roth noted that Kingston has a “large and active tennis community”, which has been “completely deprived” of indoor play.

“For example, the Kingston Tennis Club, which is outdoors-only, is extremely busy, with a full membership roster and sold-out camps,” he told Kingstonist. “The members are thrilled at the prospect of year-round play, and parents are excited that their kids can undertake year-round development programs with the Noble Tennis School. Pickleball is equally popular and constantly growing! Across the city and region, the demand for courts is greater than the supply, so 12 additional courts, in a beautiful facility and offering lots of programs, is eagerly welcomed.”

Kody Kazda, a Ph.D student at Queen’s University, reportedly had the idea for the Kingston Racquet Centre. According to the KRC, Kazda was amazed that Kingston lacked an indoor club and went on a mission to make it happen. Kody’s quest led him to Tennis Clubs of Canada, an established leader in the creation and management of indoor facilities. Working with the City of Kingston, Kody and the team at TCC have made the vision a reality.

“Inquiries and registrations are growing every day, and construction is proceeding,” Roth added, in response to Kingstonist’s inquiries. “There are many things on the go as we prepare to open — hiring staff, purchasing equipment, reaching out to potential partners, finalizing programming, and above all getting the word out and making sure everyone is aware of this amazing new facility!”

The Centre will offer a complete range of instruction and play programs for juniors and adults, for both tennis and pickleball, according to the release. The pickleball director for the KRC is David Bussiere, one of the most active and experienced pickleball development leaders in Eastern Ontario. The Centre plans to also feature multi-sport partnerships, including those with the Seniors Association of Kingston, Kingston Sport and Social Club, and the Kingston Rock Volleyball Club. The Kingston Racquet Centre will be a “hub of health, wellness and fun” for the residents of Kingston, and beyond, the organization noted.

According to Roth, registration is already open for people to join the club and many of its programs, with more announcements coming every week. Visit www.tennisclubs.ca or contact Roth over email with any inquiries.