Toronto exploring adding more pickleball courts
Pickleball, a paddle sport that includes elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong, could soon be played at more City of Toronto-run courts.
On Monday, Parks, Forestry and Recreation released an eight-page staff report that recommends ways to meet the increasing demand for the sport by installing new pickleball courts at outdoor skating rinks, under-utilized tennis courts, and other city-owned flat surfaces throughout Toronto by the end of the year.
- Download our app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
The report, which also calls on the city to construct three purpose-built pickleball facilities by 2026 in the south, north and east ends of the city, is set to be considered by the Infrastructure and Environment Committee next Monday. If adopted, it will go before City Council for final approval on June 14.
Last spring, Coun. Paula Fletcher (Toronto-Danforth) introduced two motions that asked city staff to look at expanding the number of pickleball courts. Both were adopted without amendment.
"It’s just great the city is committed to growing this popular sport by looking at affordable ways to permit playing on under-used outdoor flat surfaces," Fletcher said in a May 28 news release.
"It's also another example of how we can provide affordable recreation opportunities for Torontonians.”
Pickleball is one of the fastest growing sports in North America. It is affordable and accessible, and especially popular among seniors.
More than 72,000 Torontonians are estimated to have played pickleball last year, Fletcher said in a release.
According to the staff report, Toronto has expanded its outdoor pickleball courts from one to 165 in the last five years. In response to demand, pickleball programming has also been offered at more than 50 community recreation centres across the city since 2008.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Multiple bridges in Calgary shut down for police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
Humboldt Broncos bus crash survivor qualifies Canada for Paralympics in rowing event
Former Humboldt Broncos goaltender and bus crash survivor Jacob Wassermann has qualified Canada for a rowing event for the 2024 Paralympic games in Paris.
Baby boom amongst nurses leads to maternity ward closure in Listowel, Ont.
The emergency room at Listowel’s hospital is open today, but come summer, their obstetrics unit will be temporarily closing its delivery rooms.
George Washington family secrets revealed by DNA from unmarked 19th century graves
Genetic analysis has shed light on a long-standing mystery surrounding the fates of U.S. President George Washington's younger brother Samuel and his kin.
Krispy Kreme doughnuts coming to McDonald's in U.S., but not Canada
Canadians will be missing out on a sweet new partnership between McDonald's and Krispy Kreme, which will see doughnuts available at McDonald's locations across the U.S. by the end of 2026.
'We won't forget': How some Muslims view Poilievre's stance on Israel-Hamas war
A spokesman for a regional Muslim advocacy group says Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's stance on the Israel-Hamas war could complicate his party's relationship with Muslim Canadians.
Quebec judge orders bus driver to stand trial for 2023 daycare crash deaths
A judge has ordered a Quebec man to stand trial on charges of first-degree murder in the deaths of two children killed when a bus rammed into a Montreal-area daycare last year.