By Christena Lawrie, CFRC's Broadcast Journalist and Local Journalism Initiative Reporter.
The City of Kingston will explore options to support the continued operation of the Kingston Racquet Centre as the facility faces financial pressures.
Located on Innovation Drive, the well-used centre opened in 2023 and provides year-round indoor tennis, pickleball and volleyball courts. According to KRC, pandemic-era construction cost increases contributed to increased debt-servicing costs and ongoing cash-flow challenges, leaving the original operating model no longer viable.
Council considered three options: purchasing the land and facility improvements and leasing them back to the operator for 25 years, exploring that proposal alongside a land-only purchase model, or maintaining the existing arrangements without additional municipal support.
Council voted to pursue the second option, directing staff to examine both models and return with further financial analysis and potential financing strategies to move forward by early 2027.
Listen to the full story here.