City Owned Outdoor Pickleball Courts Officially Open

“You don’t have to be a jock to play pickleball, that’s what’s unique about pickleball. Anyone can play it,” Karen Rust president of Pickleball Canada.

By Robert Thomas

It might have been a hot day but well over 100 people still came out to enjoy the sunshine and welcome the new pickleball courts officially into the City’s growing list of recreational facilities.

“Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in North America and possibly the world,” Karen Rust president of Pickleball Canada said.

Rust who now lives in Regina but was born and raised in Moose Jaw praised the new courts. She said it was part of a trend that is seeing thousands flock to the sport.

“It’s project there are one million Canadians playing pickleball at least once a month and this number is growing by the minute.”

Membership in Pickleball Canada has grown 30 percent in just a year,” Rust said.

Speaking the Moose Jaw Express and MJ Independent after the formal speeches Rust said concerns from some municipalities that pickleball is simply a fad and would die out quickly have been disproven. She added it has led to a pickleball court building boom with Moose Jaw’s new courts an example of that.

“Congratulations to the City of Moose Jaw by recognizing this is a sport that will provide valuable recreation and social benefits to your citizens of all ages and all abilities.

Karen Rust, president of Pickleball Canada, speaks at the grand opening of the six new City owned pickleball courts on Sunday afternoon - MJ Independent photo

Moose Jaw Mayor Clive Tolley said he was not the person who had spearheaded the project to build the first City of Moose Jaw pickleball courts. But was the work of other individuals.

“I’ve had very little to do with the creation of this facility. I’m the lucky one that gets to show up, play a game and cut a ribbon,” Mayor Tolley said, adding “its been the people with Parks and Recreation. It’s been the people of Pickleball Moose Jaw and their affiliates, Pickleball Saskatchewan and Pickleball Canada, that are behind this initiative.”

“They came to us and said pickleball is a growing sport we want a facility. They chose a location and said we could partner with you at this location. And low and behold City Council acted we voted in favour,” he said.

As part of the 2022 Budget deliberations Council agreed to spend $285,000 for the construction of the six pickleball courts.

Mayor Clive Tolley addresses people who gathered for the pickleball courts grand opening - MJ Independent photo

Mayor Tolley said he looked forward to the opening of the courts and to get playing, having some fun and “having a great life in Moose Jaw.”

Janet Bradshaw from Pickleball Saskatchewan brought greetings from that organization.

“Good things happen when people work together towards a common cause. And these courts are just a perfect example of that collaboration…from a vision to a reality (Moose Jaw Pickleball) President Laurie (Haukaas) are to be commended for the countless hours of volunteer hours,” Bradshaw said.

At the present time three are 21 clubs affiliated with Pickleball Saskatchewan.

Lori Haukaas, president of Pickleball Moose Jaw, addresses those who attended the grand opening - MJ Independent photo

Lori Haukaas related her feelings on going before Council to get the funds to build the facility.

“When I nervously stood before Moose Jaw city council in November I did not know what to expect. I wanted to share why so many of us loved this sport. How it can benefit people of all ages and why Pickleball Moose Jaw believes this space would have a positive impact on our community,” Haukaas said.

Haukaas spoke about the difficulties to get Council to approve the funding.

“I know that if I can spend an hour or two with someone on the court they will be hooked. But we weren’t on the court that night. Thankfully Mayor (Clive) Tolley and our city councillors recognized the benefits, support was overwhelming and here we are today,” she said.

She thanked the City’s Administration for working together with Pickleball Moose Jaw to make the new outdoor courts a reality.
To see the full formal remarks - with the end edited as it discussed tournament plans for after the event - watch the video below.

The ribbon cutting to officially open the pickleball courts (left to right) - Scott Osmachenko City of Moose Jaw Parks and Recreation, Councillor Crystal Froese, Councillor Jamey Logan, Mayor Clive Tolley, Lori Haukaas Moose Jaw Pickleball, Councillor Kim Robinson and Dave Richards Pickleball Moose Jaw

Following the ribbon cutting there was an exhibition game, the official inaugural game on the new outdoor courts, involving Mayor Clive Tolley partnered with Councillor Jamey Logan versus the team of Councillor Kim Robinson and Pickleball Moose Jaw’s board member Carlos Wells.

Councillor Jamey Logan had the honour of delivering the first serve at the official first game played on the new pickleball courts - MJ Independent photo

There were two mini tournaments - for beginners and advanced players - as well as numerous vendors with door prizes to be won.

Pickleball is a hybrid sport which combines three major racquet sports - badminton, tennis and table tennis (ping pong) - with its own unique set of rules.

Pickleball was invented by accident when two families did not have a shuttlecock to play badminton. The used a wiffel ball instead. The name pickleball was chosen as they game’s creators wanted a silly word for the game.