YORKTON – In a major win for local recreation, Pickleball Yorkton (PBY) has officially cleared its debt with the City of Yorkton. On May 11, the association presented a final $20,000 payment for the Heritage Heights court expansion — completing a five-year commitment in just a year and a half.
While the city had originally provided a no-interest loan of $50,000 with a five-year repayment term, the association demonstrated remarkable community support by paying back the full amount years early.
A model for community investment
Mayor Aaron Kienle, an avid player himself who enjoys hitting the courts with friends, praised the partnership as a blueprint for local development. “What a fantastic organization we have here locally,” Kienle said. “It was a great collaborative effort between Pickleball Yorkton and the city. When the courts at Heritage Heights were being redone, the club wanted a dedicated space.”
The project took advantage of a specialized funding initiative where the city partners with local organizations by offering interest-free loans to help finance new infrastructure developments. Mayor Kienle explained that this model allows groups to directly invest in the facilities the city is building for the community.
The city asked Pickleball Yorkton to contribute $50,000 toward capital costs. While they were given five years to repay at $10,000 per year, they finished years ahead of schedule. “This was supposed to take another couple of years,” the Mayor noted, calling the club “very good stewards” of the city.
Modernized facilities and growth
The revitalized Heritage Heights site now features:
- Four dedicated standalone pickleball courts.
- Two tennis courts with integrated lines for pickleball conversion.
- Professional sport surfacing and brand-new nets.
Growing the Game PBY President Gina Resler attributes this financial milestone to a massive community effort. From the “Little Picklers” youth program to hosting the largest sanctioned tournament in Saskatchewan outside of provincials, the club’s growth has been explosive.
Despite the high-end upgrades, the sport remains a low-cost, accessible activity; 2026 annual memberships are held at just $10 per person.
With the debt settled, the city and PBY are looking at a bright future. Mayor Kienle says, “There is lots more opportunity for collaboration.”
