Calgary’s Young Pickleball Players: Pickleball is rising among Calgary’s youth, but a shortage of indoor courts is limiting access and stalling growth in the city’s northwest.
Rising Demand Among Kids
At Fit Kids child care in northwest Calgary, children as young as four years old are eager to play pickleball daily. The sport, introduced by owner Susan To, quickly became one of the most popular activities at the center. To now has 100 young players wanting regular court time.
“You can’t get anything anywhere and it’s really sad. All the courts are opening up in the south.” – (Susan To)
To often tries to reserve courts at the YMCA, but says they’re usually fully booked, adding to the pressure on limited spaces in the area.
Pickleball Gains Youthful Popularity
Long seen as a game for older adults, pickleball is now gaining serious attention from younger age groups. The Calgary Pickleball Club has responded by creating a junior program for kids aged eight to 17, offering three-week sessions where players compete during lessons. “We are passionate about getting kids moving and off their phones,” said Cat Hackman, president of the Calgary Pickleball Club.
A government grant helped launch the junior sessions, with some children joining via schools and others encouraged by parents and grandparents.
“What other active sport can you see all ages of a family play together? It’s not just for your grandparents anymore.” – (Hackman)
Why the Game Is So Popular
Pickleball combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong, and features a shorter learning curve, making it easy for beginners. The game is mostly played in doubles on a court half the size of a tennis court, using perforated balls and paddles.
According to To, it’s a perfect sport for all ages and has become a top request at her facility. She first discovered it during the COVID-19 lockdown and incorporated it into her daycare after expanding in 2022. Today, Fit Kids has one pickleball court, with plans to build more.
“I thought pickleball was only for old people. But the kids love it.” – (to)
Not Enough Indoor Courts
Despite the sport’s rise, Calgary lacks indoor pickleball courts. Kaila Lagran with the City of Calgary said the city operates 160 tennis courts, many of which now include pickleball lines. Additionally, the city added 12 dedicated outdoor pickleball courts at Foothills Athletic Park last year and others at Walgrove Park in the southeast.
Community associations also manage some pickleball courts, but the lack of indoor space is affecting participation, especially during colder months. The city will soon conduct a recreation and sport participation and demand study, where residents can voice support for expanding pickleball opportunities.
Looking to the Future
To says parents want family pickleball nights, but with only one court, her options are limited.
“If I had six courts, I would host family nights every week.” – (to)
Still, she remains committed to growing the sport. Her daycare is planning to build more courts in the coming months to accommodate the rising interest among children and their families.
News in Brief: Calgary’s Young Pickleball Players
Pickleball is growing fast among Calgary’s youth, but the city lacks enough indoor courts to meet demand. Daycare centers and clubs are expanding programs, while the City of Calgary plans a study to assess future needs. Fit Kids daycare hopes to add more courts to support family play nights.
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