Tennis players from Summerland, Penticton, and across the South Okanagan could soon have the opportunity to play year-round in a new indoor tennis bubble near the Lakeshore Racquets Centre (LRC) in Summerland.
Leadership at the LRC is proposing the facility to allow tennis to be played indoors during the winter months, addressing a long-standing gap in the region’s recreational offerings.
Tom Hazlett, president of the Lakeshore Racquets Centre, presented the proposal to District of Summerland council Wednesday evening, outlining the vision for the project.
“We’re here to bring indoor tennis to Summerland and the South Okanagan,” Hazlett said. “Tennis is considered the world’s healthiest sport.”
The Lakeshore club has been part of the Summerland community for nearly 50 years, having officially opened on Lakeshore Drive in 1976. In 2021, an indoor tennis centre was included in Summerland’s Recreation and Health Centre Needs Assessment, but it was excluded from the final recreation centre proposal due to a projected $4.5 million price tag, Hazlett noted.
“So you’ll find our project here at $1.2 million achieves the same thing, but at a much lower cost,” he said.
The club continues to operate as a non-profit organization, with volunteers contributing over 2,000 hours annually to maintain operations. Hazlett emphasized that the LRC provides innovative programming for all age groups, including seniors and people with disabilities, and offers tennis, table tennis, and squash.
“The LRC takes full operational responsibilities for all our facilities, including maintenance of the tennis courts,” he said.
Hazlett highlighted the urgent need for an indoor tennis facility in the South Okanagan. “There is nothing from West Kelowna to Osoyoos,” he said. “There is no indoor tennis. We’ve been trying for 20 years to get it and had nothing.”
Tennis Canada currently runs a program to expand covered tennis facilities nationwide and has funding available of up to $200,000 for a Summerland facility.
“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and it goes until 2028,” Hazlett said.
The South Okanagan has nearly 40 junior players in Summerland and another 120 in Penticton. Hazlett stressed the importance of a year-round facility for these young athletes. “These 150 young players have nowhere to play during the winter months and that’s discouraging,” he said.
The LRC operates under a license-of-use agreement with the provincial government until 2044, which mandates the current site be used for recreational facilities. Hazlett said the tennis bubble proposal aligns directly with this requirement.
A recent survey of LRC and Penticton Tennis Club members revealed strong demand for the facility. Eighty respondents indicated they would each be willing to donate $1,000 toward construction.
The proposed indoor bubble would house two full-size courts inside an air-supported structure, strategically placed to avoid obstructing neighboring views. The project also includes a new sidewalk connecting Lakeshore Drive to the facility, which would be situated near the existing three outdoor tennis courts and adjacent to the squash courts.
The total project cost is $1.2 million. Funding sources include $200,000 from Tennis Canada, $250,000 from a provincial gaming grant, and requests of $125,000 each from the District of Summerland and the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen. The remaining $500,000 would come from private, corporate, and individual donations.
Hazlett said the LRC is committed to community access. “We’re looking to make sure we allow the tennis bubble to be used by parks and rec at least one Sunday a month,” he said. “If that doesn’t work, we’re willing to work with parks and rec to find something that will and we’re willing to provide it at no charge.”
Construction is targeted for 2027, with municipal support essential to secure Tennis Canada funding. “It is important for Tennis Canada to have support from the local municipality and funding of $125,000 from the District will help secure the Tennis Canada grant,” Hazlett said.
Coun. Erin Trainer expressed support for the project. “I really like your idea and I think it’s very cool,” she said. “I agree it’s definitely needed.” Hazlett has yet to formally approach the RDOS board for funding but plans to do so soon.
Coun. Adrienne Betts also praised the proposal, noting that Summerland’s pickleball players are similarly seeking improved indoor facilities. “I think everybody is trying to secure new inside spaces, partially because of climate change, partially wanting exercise year-round,” she said.
Hazlett emphasized that pickleball facilities are available indoors across the region, but indoor tennis remains absent. He said the lifespan of the proposed bubble would be roughly 20 years and municipal funding is crucial to secure the Tennis Canada grant.
Coun. Marty Van Alphen reflected on Penticton’s previous indoor tennis bubble, which was never replaced after being removed from the South Okanagan Events Centre site over 20 years ago.
“It’s really a shame that structure disappeared,” he said. “It never was recreated somewhere else in Penticton.”
The LRC has invested $40,000 in geo-technical studies confirming the Lakeshore site is viable for an indoor bubble. Annual gaming grants have funded LRC operations successfully, and leadership is confident the $250,000 provincial grant is attainable.
Lori Grant, president of the Penticton Tennis Club, said not replacing the indoor facility has been “a source of frustration” for two decades. Hazlett noted that Tennis Canada has fully funded 15 of 30 proposals and is likely to fund the remaining 15 in 2027 or 2028.
Construction could begin as early as fall 2026. Players would pay court fees to cover operating and maintenance costs. Peake suggested regional promotion and collaboration with RDOS and Penticton would ensure consistent use.
Mayor Doug Holmes noted budget deliberations continue through December, making a funding decision before the new year unlikely. Hazlett said a decision in January would be satisfactory.