Pickleball
Canada
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PICKLEBALL ON Wheels!
BY DANIEL LEPAGE, PRESIDENT OF CLUB
PARA-PICKLEBALL QUEBEC
I
Destination 1000 Islands Village
BY KELLI MCROBERT
U
pon arrival at 1000 Islands Village in Brockville, Ontario,
the stunning castle-like features kept us in awe and the
view overlooking Lake Ontario was incredible.
A traditional gymnasium awaited us with bright lights,
pickleball nets, bleachers and the ability to curtain off half the court
for more formal pickleball gaming. The lines, we are told, were going
to be re-done, so we quickly adapted to the orange perimeters and
started our warm up with a great group of local players.
We were welcomed with more than 25 club members and easily
fell into the organized routine of paddles into buckets to acknowledge
who was “up on deck” and next in line to rotate through the courts.
Fresh pickleballs were brought out to enhance the experience and the
nets were ready made so set up and tear down was fast and efficient.
The Brockville Pickleball Club offered some fun and challenging
games over the two-hour period and the $4 drop-in fee was very
reasonable. Players could also choose a punch card for a discounted
multi-play rate.
We were fortunate to meet the owner of this complex, Dennis Bank,
who was carrying a toolbox and hanging art within the building. We
got a quick wave from his wife, Margaret, who was helping in the café
(Café Selah).
The 29-acre facility offers fantastic conference areas, event rooms
and a grand ballroom that can accommodate up to 450 people. There
are 19 guest suites (including a 5 bedroom/3 bath suite) and indoor/
outdoor play options—well situated just off Highway 401.
We look forward to coming back and hope our friends south of the
border make the trek north to enjoy everything Brockville has to offer.
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n the summer
of 2016, I was
chatting with
some friends
about their new
passion—pickleball.
They explained the
rules and the way the
sport is played.
I began to think
it might be possible to adapt this sport for people in
wheelchairs.
It didn’t take long to materialize. We gathered
interested players and two sessions were organized
to test the theory. These sessions proved positive! It
was quickly noted the adaptation of the sport in a
wheelchair required very few modifications to the
regulations. Moreover, it was possible for players in
a wheelchair to play with non-handicapped players,
making the practice of this sport even more attractive.
Last summer, thanks to the participation of the
Center for the Integration of Disabled People into
Active Life (CIVA) and several volunteers of the Quebec
Federation of Pickleball, a session took place at the
Gadbois Center southwest of Montreal. It was clear
the participants demonstrated a keen interest and it
was possible to play pickleball in a wheelchair and
thoroughly enjoy the sport.
Thanks to the dynamic personality and support of
Pierre-Yves Roy, current Vice-President of the Club of
Para-Pickleball, and several collaborators, the group
now has an official club affiliated with the FQP and the
membership continues to grow.
In March, six hybrid teams competed in the first
Para-Pickleball tournament in Repentigny, Quebec,
Canada. One of the first of its kind as a truly inclusive
event! The hope is that this is just the beginning for
this type of event.
For more information, contact [email protected].