Richmond Pickleball Court Shortage: Pickleball players in Richmond, British Columbia, are calling for more courts as the sport’s popularity continues to grow. During a recent visit to South Arm Community Park, players of all ages voiced their concerns about limited space and long wait times to play.
Courts Struggle to Meet Growing Demand
Pickleball became very popular during the pandemic, but Richmond’s facilities have not kept up. South Arm Community Park only has three dedicated pickleball courts, which are often full. While players wait for their turn, many socialize on the sidelines.
Doug Ng, a retired teacher who has played for 12 years, said there is an urgent need for a better plan.
“An expedited long-term plan” is needed to match the sport’s rapid growth, he said.
Doug Ng suggested the city could paint pickleball lines on underused tennis courts as a short-term fix. He also noted that nearby cities are doing more.
Delta, for example, has double the number of dedicated courts as Richmond, despite having half the population.
Other Cities Have More Options
Doug Ng pointed out that Burnaby has 87 shared-use pickleball courts. Richmond has just one shared-use court and nine courts at Hugh Boyd Secondary School.
Richmond city council approved $800,000 last December to add four new courts at South Arm Community Park. However, these courts won’t be ready until next year.
Doug Ng questioned the high cost and said other cities have done better with less.
“Maybe our city should be consulting them to see how they did it,” he said, referring to Langley’s 11 courts built for $1.2 million.
Youth See a Future in the Sport
Fifteen-year-old Mackonner Dy said pickleball is his favorite sport. He likes how easy it is to meet people through the game.
“Everyone says that, but I think it’s true – half my friends are 60 years old,” said Mackonner Dy.
Doug Ng called Mackonner Dy a “rising star.” Mackonner recently won a gold and silver medal at the Kelowna Open and earned silver at the 5.0 level at provincials, the top level in pickleball.
Mackonner Dy sees a bright path ahead. He said there is a
“huge future” in the sport, especially for young players.
A Game for All Ages
Brett Peters, a 65-year-old retired chiropractor from Steveston, enjoys how pickleball mixes strategy and skill.
“Easy to play, hard to master,” he said.
“I really like the tactical aspect of (pickleball). (You have to) capitalize on your strengths to win the game.”
He believes Richmond could be a leader in the sport with better facilities.
“Richmond could become the hub for pickleball if we had the facilities,” added Doug Ng.
Brett Peters suggested adding simple features like bleachers for $50,000 to make Richmond a top destination for pickleball events.
What’s Next for Pickleball in Richmond?
Pickleball’s fast growth has left many Richmond players wishing for more space and support. With planned courts delayed and current ones overcrowded, players hope the city will move quickly to improve access.
With more investment and better planning, Richmond has the chance to become a major pickleball centre.
News in Brief: Richmond Pickleball Court Shortage
Richmond pickleball players are asking for more courts due to overcrowding. South Arm Park has only three courts, with plans for four more delayed until next year. Players like Doug Ng and Mackonner Dy believe Richmond could be a pickleball leader with more support and lower-cost solutions.
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