It’s easy to take local amenities like pickleball courts for granted, but behind every one of them lies an enormous commitment from dedicated volunteers.
The new pickleball courts at Wilder Memorial Park in Fairmont Hot Springs are no exception. The land for the park was gifted to the Lions Club of Fairmont Hot Springs, which has since undertaken a series of projects to create recreation and relaxation opportunities for the community. What began with picnic tables, a swing, and a memorial garden grew to include a soccer field, a volleyball court — and most recently, pickleball courts.
Talks about adding the courts began in 2021, and by 2022, the club was ready to seek funding to bring the idea to life. It was one of the most ambitious and costly undertakings in the park’s history, requiring support from multiple sources. The Columbia Valley Community Foundation contributed $6,000 through its Community Grant program, with funds provided by Our Children’s Legacy Fund and the Fairmont Family Fund.
The financial support proved vital as contractor costs rose and project timelines stretched to allow for remediation and compacting work to ensure a solid foundation. The courts were completed and opened to the public in the summer of 2024—just in time to coincide with the launch of the park’s new Community Gardens.
Since then, the courts have quickly become a community hub for residents and visitors alike. “We get lots of different visitors and residents using the courts,” says Lions Club treasurer Norbert Schab. “Even from Kamloops!”
While the Lions Club already has ideas for future projects, there’s plenty to enjoy at Wilder Memorial Park today. The new courts stand as a testament to what’s possible when community members come together with a shared vision and dedication to improving local spaces.
Fairmont Hot Springs & District Lions Club
For more information on current and future projects, please visit the Fairmont Hot Springs & District Lions website.