Here’s what I am sending to Community Services about squash:
Milton’s Community Services Master Plan explicitly calls out for a Tennis Strategy while specifically recommending against building any squash courts. We feel that this double-standard is highly unfair to residents who enjoy indoor racquet sports like squash and racquet ball.
Other municipalities in GTA, such as Mississauga, Oakville, Ajax, Vaughn, and Oshawa, to name a few, build and maintain squash courts as a service to residents. Unlike public tennis courts, squash courts are always fee-based and therefore do not require tax-payer subsidies for on-going maintenance like tennis courts do.
Squash is an incredibly popular sport with over 55 clubs in GTA alone, and many more in Hamilton-Niagara and K-W areas. Forbes Magazine in 2003 found squash to be the best form of exercise. In fact, an hour of squash typically burns 70% more calories than an hour of tennis play. Moreover, due to an enclosed space, squash is easy to play alone which makes it an ideal sport for residents looking for a casual drop-in activity. Tennis, by contrast, requires a partner. In addition, squash can be enjoyed year-round while outdoor tennis courts cannot be used for most of the year. Finally, like tennis courts, squash courts can also be used for other activities.
We urge you to re-think Milton’s opposition to building squash courts. We would like the town to consider squash like it considers other recreational facilities such as swimming pools, ice rinks, tennis courts and gymnasiums. The town should be open to building squash courts if a substantial demand exists. However, in order to investigate the demand the town has to first remove its unfair and unconditional opposition to squash courts.
I must add: squash seems less popular than it is because it is not a spectator sport. Due to an enclosed space and a tiny, fast moving ball, it is not easy to follow. However, it is still incredibly popular. Canada ranks sixth in the world, despite its low population, in countries with highest number of squash courts.
Either way, I do not claim to know whether there is enough demand to justify public courts in Milton. I am saying that there is enough demand to at least give it some consideration. That’s it!
