Often when we’re out door-knocking, we hear from folks that they want their local court sports areas resurfaced and improved. In these discussions, there often seems to be some division between those who play pickleball and those who play tennis.
Earlier in the year I spoke to some players at the Champlain Heights courts. While there, I noticed that these courts had been resurfaced and painted with lines for both pickleball and tennis. That day both tennis and pickleball were being played side-by-side.
We should consult with local court sports groups to increase this type of inclusion by resurfacing and painting lines for both sports. Once these courts are in place, some folks at the doors are suggesting that there could be alternating time slots to avoid one group of players monopolizing the courts.
Earlier this week I met with a member of the Vancouver Pickleball Association (VPA), he relayed to me how they are working with tennis player organizations to establish Vancouver’s first public indoor tennis and pickleball centre.
In February 2026, the Vancouver Park Board unanimously endorsed the joint unsolicited proposal between Vancouver Tennis Society and Vancouver Pickleball Association, to develop the Tennis and Pickleball Centre. This indoor centre could provide year-round play for both of these sports, which are growing in popularity.
While I’ve been a quite lacklustre tennis player at various points in my life, I’ve never played pickleball. On Saturday the 26th of September I plan to join folks from the VPA to try out this sport. The exciting thing about pickleball and tennis is they both get people of all ages out in Vancouver’s parks enjoying themselves.
Our OneCity Park Board candidates are running in this election to improve access for all types of recreation.
In gratitude,
John Irwin
OneCity Park Board Candidate
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