Atlantic Pickleball Club Stratford Facility: A new indoor pickleball center is being built in Stratford, Prince Edward Island. The Atlantic Pickleball Club, a private project led by Scott Harris and Jonah MacMillan, is expected to open by late fall or early 2026. The facility aims to meet the growing demand for court space in the province.
A Major Project for a Growing Sport
The standalone pickleball building will be 25,000 square feet and is located on John Joe Sark Drive, near Stratford’s new high school, which is also under construction. “Prince Edward Island last year showed the greatest growth increase by 40 per cent, which is the most of any other province in the country,” said Scott Harris on July 10.
“This is the first facility of its kind in the region,” he added.
Jonah MacMillan said, “The community is really excited. Stratford deserves something good to happen to them and the community campus are just a part of it.”
Privately Funded and Locally Backed
The pickleball club is fully funded by private investors, including local businesspeople and former P.E.I. National Hockey League players. “This is not a small investment,” said Scott Harris, though he chose not to share the full cost.
Scott Harris, originally from North Tryon, P.E.I., worked as an NHL scout for 17 years before returning home with his family. He and Jonah MacMillan partnered after a phone call where Harris asked if pickleball was growing on the Island.
Research and Demand Drove the Idea
Jonah MacMillan, an active pickleball player, confirmed that the sport was booming. The two hired a consultant to study the market in Atlantic Canada.
“That’s what showed us there is a terrific business opportunity because there is a need for facilities and for pickleball courts to be built to facilitate the popularity of the sport because it is the fastest growing sport in North America,” said Harris.
He also mentioned that the Charlottetown and Hillsborough pickleball clubs had to stop taking new members due to a lack of space.
After considering Charlottetown, Cornwall, and Summerside, the team decided Stratford had the land they needed.
Features and Community Plans
Once complete, the club will offer nine pickleball courts, two golf simulators, a café, a boardroom, and two leased business spaces. Scott Harris said the space will welcome both beginners and experienced players.
“We want to do an after-school program for young people to introduce them to the sport. We want to create an academy for younger and older players to train who want to take the sport to another level,” said Harris.
“This is going to be a place for players to come and play and compete but is also going to be an awesome opportunity … to host major tournaments,” Harris added. He is already speaking with Pickleball Canada to bring large events to the area.
The Eastlink Centre in Charlottetown will host the P.E.I. Provincial Pickleball Championships from July 18 to 20. It is listed as a Tier 2 event.
More Growth on the Horizon
Scott Harris and Jonah MacMillan are also considering other locations to build courts. However, they plan to focus on completing the Stratford facility first. According to MacMillan, the building will be open seven days a week, from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Construction began about three weeks ago and will likely finish in late 2025 or early 2026.
News in Brief: Atlantic Pickleball Club Stratford Facility
A 25,000-square-foot pickleball facility is being built in Stratford, P.E.I. The privately funded project will include nine courts and aims to support the sport’s rising popularity. Led by Scott Harris and Jonah MacMillan, the center may host major tournaments and youth programs when it opens in 2025 or 2026.
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