From September to December 2024, we surveyed South Georgian Bay residents to understand the demand for year-round indoor tennis facilities. The response was overwhelming: 519 individuals representing over 1,000 potential players expressed strong interest in our project.
519
Survey Responses
1000+
Total Potential Players
72%
Play Tennis
64%
Play Pickleball
Our survey reached a diverse cross-section of South Georgian Bay residents, with the strongest response from Collingwood (39.9%) and Wasaga Beach (39.1%), followed by The Blue Mountains (10.6%). Additional responses came from Stayner, Creemore, Duntroon, Nottawa, Owen Sound, and Meaford, demonstrating region-wide demand.
When asked about facility style, respondents showed a clear preference for accessibility:
• 54.9% were flexible and would accept either model
• 28.9% preferred a community club style (public, lower fees, inclusive)
• 16.2% preferred a private club style (exclusive, higher fees)
This reinforces our commitment to building an accessible, community-focused facility.
75% of respondents indicated they would use the facility year-round, with the top reasons being:
• Weather conditions (60.9%)
• Reliability and consistency (57.6%)
• Convenience (34.1%)
This validates the need for climate-controlled, indoor facilities that aren't subject to seasonal closures.
Annual membership willingness showed healthy demand across price points:
• 30.6% willing to pay approximately $1,500 annually
• 30.3% willing to pay approximately $2,000 annually
• 17.9% willing to pay approximately $1,000 annually
• 12.9% willing to pay approximately $500 annually
Regarding payment structure, 62.4% preferred an all-inclusive package, while 28.1% wanted to see pricing before deciding.
49.5% of respondents expressed interest in becoming founding members with upfront contributions:
• 56.4% would contribute $10,000 - $25,000
• 29.2% would contribute $5,000 - $10,000
• 9.3% would contribute less than $5,000
Most preferred a capital repayment timeline of 2-3 years maximum.
Respondents identified the following as must-have features:
• 91.1% - Online booking system
• 70.3% - Coaching clinics and programs
• 41.4% - Locker rooms
• 41.2% - Shower facilities
• 34.1% - Pro shop
Additional amenities with strong interest included a bar (56.5%), fitness centre/gym (47%), sauna/steam room (37%), and restaurant (38.7%).
83.4% of respondents indicated they have children, with strong demand for:
• Coaching sessions (21%)
• Summer camps (15.4%)
• Weekend classes (11.6%)
• Special events and tournaments (12.7%)
This underscores the importance of youth development programs in our facility planning.
When asked about building structure:
• 58.5% indicated "I don't mind"
• 38% preferred a solid permanent structure
• 19.3% preferred an air-supported dome (bubble)
• 8.5% preferred modular (pre-fabricated)
This flexibility allows us to optimize for cost-effectiveness and functionality.
60.3% of respondents live less than 10 km from the proposed Collingwood location, with an additional 18.5% within 10-20 km. This confirms the site's accessibility for the majority of interested players.
The 2024 survey results paint a clear picture: South Georgian Bay has substantial, demonstrated demand for year-round indoor tennis facilities. With over 1,000 potential players, strong willingness to pay membership fees, significant founding member interest, and community preference for an accessible and inclusive facility, our Collingwood project is positioned to meet a genuine community need.
These results have been instrumental in our discussions with local authorities and continue to guide our facility planning, amenity selection, and program development. We're committed to help build a facility that reflects what our community actually wants: accessible, affordable, year-round tennis for players of all ages and skill levels.
Thank you to all 519 respondents who took the time to share their input. Your voices are shaping this project.