Residents will soon be able to play the popular pickleball sport at Cloverdale Mall.
Cloverdale Mall’s newest feature is a pickleball club; a sport that is gaining popularity will be opening on February 16.
Pickle ball is popular and gaining momentum with clubs popping up across the city.
A company called Fairgrounds Public Racket Club is behind the Cloverdale club, with another soon to appear in Vaughan.
There will be nine pickleball courts opening at Cloverdale Mall.
The club is a part of the redevelopment of Cloverdale Mall, which is planned to be reduced in size as condos and townhomes are planned for its massive parking lot.
Similar residential developments are also planned for Sherway Mall, Dixie Outlet Mall and Yorkdale Mall among others.
Nine pickle ball courts will be opened at Cloverdale providing free membership to those of all ages, according to Fairgrounds website.
A restaurant and bar is also included in the club for guests.
“The whole idea is to make pickleball […] more accessible to more people and keep up with the growing demand across the country,” Fairgrounds co-founder Drummond Munro told blog TO.
Pickleball has caught on and is wildly popular with more courts opening up every day.
The club is also introducing the sport of Padel, which is a combination of tennis and squash, using the tennis scoring system in a smaller, enclosed court where the ball can bounce off the walls.
Fairgrounds said pickleball combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong.
It is played with a paddle and a plastic ball with holes and is perfect for players of all ages and skill sets, according to the company.
“With easy-to-follow rules, pickleball is a great introductory sport for those looking to have fun on the court,” Fairgrounds said.
It said they are creating a space that fosters new relationships and builds community while learning new skills.
The company plans to grow the sport into the next big thing by opening 60 courts across Canada in the coming months.