Canada’s Largest Indoor Pickleball Facility Celebrates: Blue Zone Courts, Canada’s largest indoor pickleball and padel facility, officially opened its doors in Burlington, Ontario, on November 6, 2024, with a grand opening ceremony. The event marked a significant milestone for local racquet sport enthusiasts, with both pickleball and padel players taking full advantage of the modern courts available at the state-of-the-art venue.
A New Hub for Pickleball and Padel Enthusiasts
Joyce Telmo-Kanti, co-founder of Blue Zone Courts, emphasized the community-driven nature of the opening.
“Today is not just a celebration of opening a facility, Today is the gathering of a community that shares a love for pickleball and padel, and we would like to extend our heartfelt thank yous to all of you for being here and sharing this moment with us.” – Joyce Telmo-Kanti
The facility boasts 10 contemporary courts, catering to both sports and offering flexible booking options, including walk-in reservations and memberships, ensuring accessibility for players of all levels.
Growing Popularity of Pickleball and Padel
Pickleball padel, two of the world’s fastest-growing sports, are gaining popularity due to their accessibility to players of all ages and skill levels. The new facility in Burlington comes as a response to the growing demand for local courts, with residents eager for more recreational spaces. Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed Ward and Ward 5 Councillor Paul Sharman, both former racquet sport players, were present at the ceremony and shared their support for the initiative.
“We hear a lot of feedback from residents,” Mayor Meed Ward stated. “The top three things we hear about are development, traffic, and pickleball. People are constantly asking us when we could give them more pickleball courts—some folks would even turn empty parking lots into pickleball courts or convert unused tennis courts into pickleball.”
Community Support and Local Impact
Blue Zone Courts, which opened in mid-October 2024, has already seen significant use, with nearly every court occupied before the official ceremony. Councillor Sharman, an avid squash player for over three decades, was quick to try his hand at padel. “To be able to hold a racquet again is fabulous,” he said. “I’m delighted to be here. It’s an amazingly converted, wonderful facility, and I think about this as being an opportunity for a contribution to Ward 5 as well as to the city.”
A Blue Zone for Health and Well-Being
The facility’s name is inspired by the concept of “blue zones,” regions around the world known for the longevity and well-being of their populations. The blue zone phenomenon is linked to healthy lifestyles, and pickleball, with its variety of physical and cardiovascular benefits, aligns perfectly with this concept. Mayor Meed Ward, freshly returned from a trip to Burlington’s sister city of Itabashi in Japan, shared her vision of enhancing the city’s community health.
“They’re one of those blue cities, They’re physically active, they have sports and outdoor community centers. When I think about what our quality of life here in Burlington needs to be, we have to focus on more than just potholes and garbage pickups. It’s also about community health and well-being.” – Meed Ward
Celebrations Continue with Special Guest Appearance
The festivities at Blue Zone Courts are set to continue with a special appearance by Gianni Luminati, the lead singer of Burlington-based band Walk Off The Earth. Luminati will take part in a friendly pickleball match with some of Canada’s top professional players, adding a touch of celebrity flair to the event.
News in Brief: Canada’s Largest Indoor Pickleball Facility Celebrates
Blue Zone Courts, the largest indoor pickleball and padel facility in Canada, held its grand opening on November 6, 2024, in Burlington, Ontario. The event was attended by Mayor Marianne Meed Ward, Ward 5 Councillor Paul Sharman, and local residents, all celebrating the new 10-court facility. With a focus on community health, the venue offers accessible play through walk-in bookings and memberships. The opening continues with a special appearance by Gianni Luminati, lead singer of Walk Off The Earth, who will face off against Canadian professional pickleball players.