Pickleball’s New Frontier in Winnipeg: The pickleball wave is gaining serious momentum in Winnipeg. Local entrepreneur Nicholas Rush, along with four partners, has secured a 24,000-square-foot facility to establish the city’s first pickleball-only venue. This ambitious project is set to bring eight indoor courts and a clubhouse to Headingley, marking a significant milestone in the sport’s regional growth.
A Vision for the Future
Situated in the Rocke Development Business Park at 500 Caron Road, the Pickleball Club of Winnipeg is currently under construction. Rush is confident that the province’s premier pickleball facility will be ready to welcome players by January 1st. Reflecting on the sport’s growing appeal, Rush, 48, shared, “There’s still that perception that pickleball is a game for old people and broken people. It can be a lot more than that… This is a sport that has obviously taken off — it’s super accessible to a wide population, from seniors to kids, and whether you’re super athletic or you’ve had some injuries or you have other health conditions, you can play.”
The Sport’s Rapid Growth
Pickleball, a game born in 1965 blending elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis, has seen explosive growth globally in the past decade. This surge in popularity is clear in Manitoba, where the demand for court time has outpaced availability. In response, Ryan Giesbrecht and Justin Friesen, co-owners of Prairie Badminton, invested $200,000 to add two indoor pickleball courts to their Transcona facility earlier this year.
A Long-Awaited Dream
For Rush, the idea of a dedicated pickleball facility has been a long time coming. He first envisioned the project in 2020, but it wasn’t until this year that the pieces finally came together. While he initially aimed for 10 to 12 indoor courts, he opted for eight to keep costs manageable. He also plans to add four outdoor courts next summer, further expanding the facility’s offerings.
News in Brief: Pickleball’s New Frontier in Winnipeg
The Pickleball Club of Winnipeg is set to open by January 1st, offering eight indoor courts and a clubhouse at the Rocke Development Business Park in Headingley. Local entrepreneur Nicholas Rush leads the project, which aims to meet the growing demand for pickleball facilities in Manitoba. Plans include adding four outdoor courts by next summer, making this the province’s first dedicated pickleball venue.
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