FAQs
- Bloomsbury Park Court, Stavanger Drive
- Brother Egan Court, Warbury Street
- Chafe's Lane Court, Chafe's Lane
- Cherryhill Park Court, Laughlin Crescent
- Conway Glen Courts, Logy Bay Road
- Eastbourne Crescent
- Goulds Recreation Center, Main Road
- Kelly's Brook Court, Newtown Road
- Larch Place Court, Carpasian Road
- Pleasantville Court, Churchill Avenue
- Spruce Meadows, Sterling Avenue
- Teakwood Drive
- Tunis Court Tennis, Tunis Court
- Wishingwell Courts, Stamp's Lane
What is pickleball?
Pickleball is a game resembling tennis in which players use paddles to hit a perforated plastic ball over a net. You can learn more about it on Wikipedia.
Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in North America and now is witnessing that same growth in Newfoundland and Labrador. Most of the growth is in the St. John’s area and Pickleball NL registration has grown from a few dozen individuals to 500 members today. As many people are playing recreational games in the St. John’s area.
Where can people currently play pickleball?
Fieldhouse at MUN, Northpoint, Greenbelt, and Paul Reynolds Centre. However, most programs and spaces are at capacity. There are currently no dedicated outdoor facilities for pickleball in St. John's.
Why is the city entertaining this project?
Pickleball is a fast growing sport and there is increasing demand from all ages for court space. If these tennis courts are converted to pickleball courts, the dedicated space can be used to have open sessions for pickleball, learn to play sessions for beginners, and recreational tournaments. All these events are popular with seniors but will also allow more play by younger and working people. As well, pickleball is greatly impacted by strong winds due to the use of a whiffle type ball. The area behind St. Matthew's Elementary School provides quite a bit of shelter from the prominent southwest summer winds.
Why can't the tennis courts be used for both sports?
While lines can be drawn on existing tennis courts to accommodate both sports, the pickleball court requires different netting and dimensions.
Where will I be able to play tennis in this area if the courts are repurposed?
There are other tennis courts in Cowan Heights located in Kitty Gaul Park. There are also tennis courts nearby in Bowring Park. A list of tennis courts throughout the City is below: