Golden is preparing to elevate its recreation offerings with the completion of a new racquet sports facility at Keith King Memorial Park, expected to open in July.
The project will introduce four dedicated pickleball courts, two tennis courts, a practice wall, and a basketball hoop, creating a multi-use space designed to meet growing demand for racquet sports in the community.
The development is the result of a partnership between the Town of Golden, the Columbia Shuswap Regional District (CSRD), and the Golden Pickleball Club. The club, founded in December 2023 by a group of local players, has played a key role in advocating for dedicated courts and expanding opportunities for the fast-growing sport.
From the beginning, the club’s board focused on building a facility capable of supporting increased participation and hosting future tournaments. That vision has been supported through a combination of grants and funding.
In 2024, the Golden Pickleball Club secured $48,550 through the Columbia Basin Trust’s ReDi grant program. The funding covered more than half of the deposit for court surfacing, valued at $40,545, and paid for essential equipment, including nets, posts, and sleeves at a cost of $8,005.
Additional funding has come from multiple sources, including $194,000 from the Whitetooth Legacy Fund and $500,000 from the CSRD Community Works Fund.
The project also includes a strong environmental focus. On January 21, 2026, the Town of Golden received a further $100,000 grant from the Columbia Basin Trust’s Climate Adapted Community Spaces Program to support landscaping at the park. Plans include planting between 30 and 40 trees, along with up to 150 shrubs and grasses, aimed at improving shade, reducing wind, and minimizing noise.
Final surfacing and landscaping work is expected to be completed by mid-July.
Once the courts are finished, remaining funds will be directed toward the Rec-Plex Park Block project. That next phase includes demolishing the old tennis courts and building new year-round washrooms and a gazebo to support the outdoor arena.
Local officials say the new facility positions Golden as an emerging destination for racquet sports, with plans already underway for a grand opening event and the community’s first outdoor pickleball tournament.
