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
'Still so much love between us,' Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Pro-plastic lobbyist presence at UN talks is 'troubling,' say advocates
Environmentalist groups are sounding the alarm about a steep increase in the number of pro-plastic lobbyists at the UN pollution talks taking place this week.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
$70M Lotto Max winners kept prize a secret from family for 2 months
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Courteney Cox says her partner Johnny McDaid once broke up with her in therapy
Courteney Cox's longtime partner Johnny McDaid once broke up with her in a therapy session.