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The quick read: The City of Kelowna has terminated its agreement with Tennis Clubs of Canada to build a five-court indoor tennis facility at Mission Recreation Park, announcing the decision October 7. The city says the organization failed to meet its obligations for capital investment and construction — but hasn't disclosed the specifics, what was spent so far, or what the breakup costs. A competitive request for proposals for a new partner is expected in the coming weeks, with outdoor courts targeted for 2027.

Kelowna's indoor tennis project is back to square one — and the city is pointing fingers.

The City of Kelowna announced on October 7 that it has terminated its agreement with Tennis Clubs of Canada for a planned five-court indoor tennis facility at Mission Recreation Park.

The reason, according to the city: the organization did not meet its obligations for capital investment and construction.

The original partnership, announced in June 2025, envisioned five competition-standard courts in the southeast corner of the park, with a removable dome covering them in the colder months so tennis could be played year-round.

The project was valued at approximately $2.9 million.

The financing plan included an estimated $650,000 municipal contribution from reserves, plus $200,000 through the Rogers Year-Round Community Tennis Courts Program, a partnership between Rogers and Tennis Canada.

"Our focus is on moving this project forward responsibly as the need for more year-round tennis opportunities in Kelowna has not changed," said Doug Nicholas, the city's sport and event services manager, in the October 7 announcement.

Nicholas added that the work completed so far gives the city "a strong foundation to build on as we move into the next phase."

The city says it will launch a competitive request for proposals in the coming weeks to find a replacement partner with the experience and investment capacity to deliver the project.

The target: outdoor courts completed in 2027, with the seasonal dome's timing depending on the partner-selection process.

The city's relationship with Tennis Canada continues, and the $200,000 program grant remains in place, the city confirmed.

Tennis Clubs of Canada, for its part, has not publicly responded — and its website continues to advertise local tennis programming for 2026.

Here's what the city hasn't said: the specific contractual requirements that were missed, how much has been spent to date, or whether the termination carries additional costs or contractual liabilities.

The principle is right — a city should hold its partners accountable when they don't deliver.

But when $650,000 of reserve money is in the frame, taxpayers deserve a full accounting of where it went and what the breakup costs.

Ending a bad deal takes backbone.

Showing the receipts takes honesty.

Kelowna's tennis players deserve both.