On Thursday, April 30, 2026, David Piccini, Member of Provincial Parliament for Northumberland–Peterborough South, joined the Port Hope Racquet Club in celebrating a major milestone for sport and recreation in Port Hope as construction begins on a new year-round indoor tennis facility in Port Hope.
The project, known as Raise the Dome, will expand local access to tennis by introducing the community’s first indoor courts, allowing athletes and families to play year-round while strengthening grassroots sport across the region.
Once complete, the dome will be the only dedicated, indoor tennis facility in the Northumberland, Quinte, and Peterborough regions. Port Hope will become known as a year-round tennis destination, drawing tennis players of all ages and from different communities during the fall and winter months.
“This is an incredible investment in Port Hope and in the future of active living in our community,” said MPP Piccini. “The Raise the Dome initiative reflects the dedication and vision of the Port Hope Racquet Club and its volunteers. Our government is proud to support this project, helping ensure that families and athletes have year-round access to high-quality facilities close to home.”
The Government of Ontario supported the project with more than $680,000 through the Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund (CSRIF), alongside a $200,000 contribution from Tennis Canada.
“Our government is delivering on our plan to protect Ontario by making historic local investments that strengthen our communities today and for the future,” said Neil Lumsden, Minister of Sport. “By investing the Port Hope Racquet Club’s Raise the Dome project, we are helping to bring year-round sport and recreation opportunities to residents, while ensuring that athletes and families can access the programs they rely on.”
The development includes the installation of a dome structure over the courts, the addition of a fourth court, and key site upgrades. Construction is now underway, with completion anticipated later this year.
Once finished, the facility will mark a transformative addition to local sport infrastructure, creating new opportunities for programming, competition, and community engagement.
“On behalf of our Port Hope Racquet Club, I want to extend our deepest gratitude to the Government of Ontario for their vision and generosity in supporting the development of our new four-court dome facility.” said Darryl Goodall, President, Port Hope Racquet Club. “Your investment is not just in infrastructure, but in the growth of our sport, the strength of our community, and the opportunities we can now offer players of all ages and abilities year-round.”
PHRC recently announced a new operating partnership with The Supreme Court (TSC), an organization with extensive experience in tennis programming and facility management. This partnership will support high-quality programming and operations from day one.
Community support continues to play a vital role in the project’s success, with contributions from donors and sponsors helping to enhance programming and ensure long-term sustainability.
For more information about the Raise the Dome project, visit www.phrc.ca or contact raisethedome@phrc.ca.
Quick Facts
· First launched in 2024 with an initial investment of $200 million, the Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund (CSRIF) is a competitive, application-based program that supports municipalities, Indigenous communities, organizations and non-profit organizations.
· As part of the 2026 Ontario Budget: A Plan to Protect Ontario, the government announced an additional investment of $300 million to expand the Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund (CSRIF), making this the single largest investment in the province’s sport and recreation sector made by the government to date.
· This brings total government funding for the program to $500 million, and will support local community projects, create good-paying jobs, promote active, healthy living and give the next generation of Ontario athletes a place to train and grow their skills.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
