Pickleball players now have a home to play, after the construction of the City of Moose Jaw’s first-ever facility has been completed and opened on Thursday.
The facility offers six courts and now allows the Moose Jaw Pickleball League to host tournaments, events, and league play, and also a place for newcomers to try their hand at the sport.
The city’s Recreation and Services Manager Scott Osmachenko says the project took just over a year.
“We did break ground back in May, we were able to get through construction season getting six brand new pickleball courts built. We’ve had a wonderful relationship working with Pickleball Moose Jaw. These local volunteers were instrumental first-class pickleball courts that can be used by all ages and abilities.”
The new courts are located behind the Kinsmen Sportsplex (On the corner of 9th Avenue NW and Elizabeth St.). Osmachenko does add that the city does have two different types of programs in place for court times.
“Just free drop-in times, so something during the weekdays and the weekends for you and your family to bring your equipment and try the pickleball courts for free. Then we have some Pickleball Moose Jaw specific times.”
Free public drop-in times are weekdays from 8-9 am, 11 am-2 pm, 4-6 pm, and 8-9 pm, along with weekends from 11 am-5 pm. Public drop-in times are on a first-come, first-serve basis and you must bring your own equipment.
The reason behind building a pickleball facility stemmed from the increasing growth of the game over the last 10 years and not a proper place to play outside.
“We’ve been running an indoor pickleball season in the schools, but we didn’t have an outdoor facility. Working with Pickleball Moose Jaw we realized this was something the city could use, and be well utilized. As well we learned about the pickleball tour, tournaments, and events that could happen.”
He notes that the budget for the six-court pickleball facility was around $285,000. Construction of the new pickleball courts was approved by City Council as part of the 2022 Budget.