Ponoka Pickleball Club Community: The Ponoka Pickleball Club, also known as the Ponoka Picklers, is helping people stay active in a supportive environment. The club has around 35 members and meets twice a week during the summer on outdoor courts, Mondays and Thursdays from 5:30 to 9 p.m. It welcomes beginners and experienced players alike.
A Growing Club in Ponoka
Janice Mackie, the club president, discovered pickleball in Arizona in 2012. When she returned to Ponoka, she wanted to bring the sport to the community. “It was just kind of moving into Canada more at that time,” she said, adding that many initially thought it was only for seniors.
She hoped to interest three players but started with 20. Within a year and a half, membership grew to 45. Mackie recalled, “It was wonderful. It just took off. It was crazy busy after that.”
Early Challenges and Finding a Home
At first, the town had not built outdoor tennis or indoor courts. Members used the outdoor skating rink in summer, which was slippery, and the drop-in centre with a low ceiling and fans. Later, the club played in the Centennial Centre gym, and then at Ponoka Elementary School. When the tennis courts were redone, pickleball lines were added. The club now uses these courts in summer and the school gym in winter.
Members’ Stories and Benefits
Club member Gail Schur, 59, has played for eight years. She started during her breast cancer treatment and continued even after losing her hair from chemotherapy. “Our president, Janice Mackie, introduced me, and honest-to-goodness, it was the best thing she could ever have done, because I’ve absolutely loved playing pickleball and I hope to play for a lot more years,” said Schur.
Schur highlighted the club’s age diversity, with members from 18 to almost 80. She said staying active helps with bones and social connections. “I’ve got a bad knee, I tore my meniscus, and I took some time off, but you know, staying active is the best thing for when you get older for your bones. Even for the socialization of it; you meet a lot of great friends. (There’s) a lot of great people in the club.”
Fun, Competition, and Learning
The club suits players who want casual activity and those who compete in tournaments. Mackie said, “It’s a lot of fun to get out and challenge yourself against others.” The sport is easier to learn than tennis due to a smaller court. Schur explained, “As you get better at the game, you move less because you learn the skill … (and) placement of the ball.”
Beginners can join anytime, but summer and fall are best for learning outdoors. Some members are trained to teach others. “The door is always open to talk to us,” said Mackie. “We certainly make the effort to get people started.”
The club will continue playing at outdoor courts until mid-October, weather permitting. Mackie added, “The club itself is a club, but the members have become friends which makes it even more special.”
News in Brief: Ponoka Pickleball Club Community
The Ponoka Pickleball Club welcomes players of all ages and skill levels, meeting twice a week on outdoor courts in summer. President Janice Mackie founded the club after discovering the sport in Arizona. Members enjoy both fun and competition, highlighting social connections, physical activity, and the sport’s accessibility.
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