Living in a town like Golden during the summer, it is easy to feel a little taken over by tourists. With visitors arriving from around the world to experience the surrounding mountains, rivers, and trails, it can sometimes seem like every new amenity or upgrade is designed to attract people passing through.
This past weekend, however, the community celebrated something built first and foremost for the people who call Golden home. The grand opening of the Whitetooth Legacy Racquet Courts marked the beginning of a new space for recreation, connection and activity, giving residents a place to gather and play for years to come.
The opening ceremony brought together local officials, project partners, volunteers and members of the Golden Pickleball Club to celebrate a project that has been years in the making.
While the courts themselves are new, their name connects them to a much older piece of Golden history.
The Whitetooth Legacy Fund, which contributed significant funding toward the project, was created following the sale of Whitetooth Ski Hill in 1997. After a community referendum overwhelmingly supported the sale, the proceeds were used to address outstanding debts associated with the ski hill and the Golden and District Recreation Centre, while the remaining funds were invested by the Columbia Shuswap Regional District.
Over nearly three decades, careful management of those investments allowed the fund to grow, creating an opportunity to support new recreation projects like the Whitetooth Legacy Racquet Courts.
Mayor Ron Oszust reflected on that connection during his remarks at the grand opening.
“For me, it’s the legacy of the community vision and hard work that turned the concept of a local ski hill into a reality, and that spirit lives on in the new facility we are celebrating today.”
Oszust said the courts represent the continuation of a legacy built through generations of community members working together.
“The new pickleball and tennis courts are important for the community, but we should not forget that it was the vision, the spirit, and the hard work, well, 30 years ago,
through Whitetooth Ski Hill Society, and within the last few years, through the Golden Pickleball Club, that has helped us to have this facility that we’re celebrating today.”
The story of the new courts is one of collaboration, with speakers repeatedly highlighting the many organizations, volunteers and community members who helped bring the project from an idea to reality.
Karen Cathcart, CSRD Director for Area A, spoke about the importance of creating spaces where people can connect and stay active.
“Today, we’re here to celebrate the opening of the Whitetooth Legacy Racquet Courts, a wonderful community space that reflects the dedication, generosity and vision of everyone who helped to bring this project to life.”
Cathcart said the courts will provide opportunities for residents and visitors alike.
“These courts will provide opportunities for recreation, connection, and healthy living for residents and visitors for years to come.”
She also highlighted the importance of partnerships in making projects like this possible.
“This project is another example of what can be accomplished with community partners, led by champions, come together for a shared vision.”
No names came up more throughout the ceremony than Mike and Mandy Cantel. Credited by multiple speakers as the driving force behind the project from its earliest stages, the couple helped champion the vision for dedicated racquet courts long before construction ever began.
During the ceremony, Golden Pickleball Club president Phil Dougherty invited the pair forward to receive a commemorative plaque in recognition of their dedication and leadership. Their willingness to continue pushing the project forward was recognized as a key reason the courts became a reality.
Dougherty also thanked the many organizations and individuals who helped bring the project together, including the Town of Golden, the CSRD and Recreation Services Director Jordan Petrovic. He recognized the work of the Golden Pickleball Club and the many volunteers who helped support the project.
Rachel Wilde was also recognized for her instrumental role with the club. Through her administrative work, organization and dedication as an active pickleball participant, Wilde helped guide the project through the many stages required to bring the courts from an idea to a finished facility.
Petrovic explained that the courts were part of a much larger vision for improvements around the Rec Plex area. The project grew out of a broader master plan that looked at opportunities to improve recreation spaces throughout the block.
That process included significant public engagement, with more than 700 people providing feedback on the future of the area. Despite challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, work continued on multiple recreation projects, including the skate park expansion, pump track upgrades and other improvements around the Rec Plex.
The pickleball courts became the latest piece of that larger vision.
The project was made possible through the support of multiple partners, including the CSRD, Columbia Basin Trust, REDI funding, the Town of Golden, the Golden Pickleball Club and the many volunteers who contributed time and energy along the way.
While pickleball has experienced significant growth across North America in recent years, the new courts represent more than just a place to play one sport. In a community known for outdoor recreation, many activities come with significant financial barriers. Skiing, mountain biking and climbing often require specialized equipment and costly passes, making them difficult for some residents to access regularly.
Racquet sports offer something different. With relatively little equipment required and no lift ticket or trail pass needed, pickleball provides an affordable way for people of all ages to stay active, socialize and enjoy friendly competition.
The new courts give Golden’s growing racquet sports community a dedicated home while creating an inviting space for anyone interested in trying something new.
Following the ribbon cutting, the celebrations continued throughout the afternoon. Ken Leonty led an introductory pickleball lesson for people interested in learning the sport, while experienced members of the Golden Pickleball Club quickly took to the courts for games of their own.
Later in the day, community members also had the opportunity to challenge two of the club’s top players, keeping the courts busy and the festivities going well beyond the official ceremony.
The Whitetooth Legacy Racquet Courts stand as more than a collection of courts. They are the product of years of determination, collaboration, and community spirit, built through the efforts of volunteers, local organizations, and residents who believed in the project.
Nearly 30 years after the sale of Whitetooth Ski Hill, the legacy of one recreation facility has helped create another. The courts are a reminder that some of Golden’s most meaningful investments are those that give people a place to gather, stay active, and build connections.
Long after the ribbon-cutting ceremony is over, the Whitetooth Legacy Racquet Courts will continue serving the community they were built for.
