JOHN JANTAK
The 1019 Report

The rapid growth and increasing popularity of pickleball in recent years has prompted Vaudreuil-Dorion and Pincourt to build new pickleball courts to meet the demand.

“There are a lot of players and we know it’s a sport that’s going to grow in the future, so we want to have exclusive pickleball courts,” said Vincent Bastien, director of recreation and culture with the city of Vaudreuil-Dorion in an interview with The 1019 Report.

The first six courts in will be built at Parc St. Jean Baptiste beside the water tower at 98 De la Fabrique Blvd., north of Harwood.

There are tennis courts in the park, but the city has converted two tennis courts into six pickle ball courts this summer, Bastien explained.

“We are also going to start construction in the fall for eight pickleball courts and six tennis courts at a new park just in front of Dorion Gardens at Valois and Andrė Chartrand,” Bastien said.

Pickleball has also become very popular in Pincourt. The town opened its first two outdoor courts at Olympic Park last August and has added two new courts this summer.

“We need new courts because of the high demand,” said Pincourt Mayor Claude Comeau.

At the beginning of summer, there were 138 registered pickleball players with the Pincourt Pickleball Club, said club president Pierre Besner. That number is expected to continue rising.

The possible addition of pickleball courts is also being considered in St. Lazare. There are currently two pickleball courts – one each at Saddlebrook Park and Chaline Valley Park.

“It’s very popular for sure and it’s easier to play than tennis,” said Mayor Geneviève Lachance.

The city is also considering whether it will build additional pickleball courts.

“We have a master plan for parks that will be adopted in the next few months so that’s always something that’s being considered in terms of providing different infrastructure,” said Lachance.