MAP Founded in 2014
Original Founders: Helena Proctor and Ainslee Birrell
Additional Founders: Rick Masters, Garry Morehouse, Rychelle Morrison
FOUNDERS
Midland Ontario Sports Hall of Fame
Helena Proctor and Garry Morehouse inducted September 29, 2018
Pickleball began here in 2009 at Askennonia, but needed leadership to flourish and accommodate the rising demand for court space.
The Midland Area Pickleball club (MAP) was dedicated to the growth of the sport for players of all ages and abilities in 2015. As demand grew, they were able to acquire the use of facilities at the YMCA and Tay Shores Public School using these courts four evenings a week.
In 2015 the demand for places to play Pickleball continued to rise. It was decided it was time for Midland to have outdoor courts. Garry started a campaign to raise interest and get town approvals while Helen devoted her time to the design and cost of turning one of the tennis courts in Tiffin Park into four state-of-the-art Pickleball courts. After months of negotiations and fundraising of $17,000, the project commenced in the Spring of 2015 and was completed in August 2016.
Throughout this growth phase, Helen and Garry offered training, set up clinics, and ran tournaments to help fuel the sport and encourage players of all ages and skills to be active. They keep over 200 members in contact via the Midland Area Pickleball Club.
They have been Ontario 55+ Seniors' Regional Games executives, conveners at Askennonia Centre and four evenings a week at Tay Shores and NSSRC. They have also introduced Pickleball at Waypoint where it is still played by staff and patients.