‘Striking a balance’: Pickleball booming in Markham, players seek equitable court access

Markham Pickleball Club to host provincial pickleball tournament in September

Yorkregion.com
Aug. 4, 2023
Yoyo Yan

The sun rises over Cornell Community Park, casting its warm glow on the vibrant state-of-the-art pickleball courts that have become a hub of activity for residents of Markham.

As part of the growing pain for the suddenly ubiquitous sport, however, a simmering dispute is brewing over court access, pitting pickleball enthusiasts against the backdrop of fairness and inclusivity.

At the heart of the matter is a petition, spearheaded by enthusiastic pickleball players, urging the city to extend public playing hours at the outdoor courts to ensure fair access for all community members. It challenges the current allocation of court time that often privileges the Markham Pickleball Club (MPC) members.

"Outdoor pickleball courts were built with public funds, and they should serve the entire community," asserts Minh Hang, petition organizer and avid pickleball player. "We're not against the club having time, but it shouldn't overshadow opportunities for everyone else."

The MPC, a private club with over 600 members, benefits from a substantial share of prime morning and evening slots. Residents say this allocation has led to crowded public hours, leaving little room for other pickleball enthusiasts to participate in the sport they love.

Beyond concerns about fairness and access, residents point out the irony of funding courts that cater to nonresident club members. Neighbouring cities like Richmond Hill have regulations limiting non-residents from using their pickleball facilities, a model that Markham petitioners would like to emulate.

But MPC’s Peter Milovanovic clarifies that over 70 per cent of members are Markham residents, which coincides with residency targets outlined in the city's policy.

The petition also highlights the importance of outdoor pickleball courts, especially during the summer when indoor options are limited. For many, the community's outdoor courts offer a space to exercise, socialize, and embrace the spirit of the game.

Ward 5 Councillor Andrew Keyes acknowledges that adjustments were made in 2022 to split pickleball hours at Cornell courts between public and league play more evenly, responding to concerns raised by residents about unfair court access.

Mayor Frank Scarpitti says the pickleball courts in Cornell were designed and built to national standards to grow the sport and host tournaments, and

MPC actually helped the city increase the number of courts from four to eight.

Scarpitti assures residents that the city is committed to “striking a balance” between public access and supporting sports clubs that enhance community engagement.

"Pickleball is an incredibly fun and increasingly popular sport for all ages,” says the mayor, an avid pickleball supporter and occasional player himself.

“We will continue to monitor usage and make adjustments to ensure access for all residents."

When the city updated its leisure master plan in 2019, pickleball was included as one of the main sports to increase the number of facilities right across the city.

Currently, the city has 16 outdoor pickleball courts in Cornell Park (8), Clatworthy Park (2), James Parrot Park (2), Thornlee Park (2) and Wismer Park (2). The city also has a capacity of 51 indoor pickleball courts at Aaniin Community Centre (9), Angus Glenn (3), Armadale (6), Cornell (6), Thornhill (3), Thornlee (3), Centennial (3), Markham Pan Am Centre (12) and the new Premier Racquets Club (6).

Scarpitti says the city recognizes the need for more pickleball courts to accommodate the growing demand. Efforts are underway to explore options for additional outdoor and indoor courts, including lining tennis courts for pickleball.

Meanwhile, MPC is working to start its junior program in 2024 and hopes to participate in an interclub league with other clubs across York Region and Durham.

The growth of pickleball in the city has paved the way for high-level tournaments. Markham held the first of the Canadian Pickleball Series for 2023 in

March at the Premier Racquet Club. MPC is gearing up to host the annual Pickleball for Possibilities tournament in September.

Notably, Markham-based Exzell Pharma has also partnered with Pickleball Canada to sponsor the national championships from 2023 to 2025.