The world is getting more divided on endless topics.
But very few fit the “first world problem” category quite like the subject of Pickleball!
Can you imagine Canadians going on “hunger strikes” and organizing community rallies to get more space to play Pickleball?
These events have happened!
Life and death on the pickleball courts?
Not really, but the racket from smacking pickleballs back and forth across outdoor courts is dividing residents across Canada.
The battle has heated up in Okotoks, with residents living near the outdoor courts angry about the constant popping sounds of pickleball play.
“The hard ball and a hard paddle make a really irritating noise. People don’t understand how irritating the pitch of it is, and when you get 20 of them out there, it’s pretty noisy,” Rob Burns told Global News.
Burns, who lives near the Bob Anderson Courts, says the repetitive noise has “ruined” his quality of life, and his nearby neighbours agree.
Burns and his neighbours brought the ear-splitting topic to city hall and successfully got action taken to reduce the hours pickleballers can get out and play.
“The neighbourhood was happy to be heard,” said Okotoks Mayor Tanya Thorn.
“They felt it was a good balance. The neighbourhood wasn’t about (to) get rid of pickleball. It gave us a bit of a balance for quality of life.” Thorn said.
Hours at the courts were changed from 8 AM -10 PM daily to 9 AM – 8 PM Monday to Thursday and Saturday, and 9 AM – 5 PM on Fridays and Sundays.
The Mayor may think this was enough to satisfy the court’s frustrated neighbours for now, but she may not be entirely correct…
“It hasn’t made that much difference until it’s gone,” said Burns.
“I’m glad to see that they’re going to do something. Get rid of it hopefully by next year.”
Burns would probably be considered to be on the “extremist side” of the “anti-pickleballers,” but like most divisive issues, people are equally passionate on both sides.
By the way, did you know June 3 is “Alberta Pickleball Day??
“It’s one of the most social games there is. I’ve heard people say pickleball saved their lives,” said Kirk Jensen, President of Pickleball Alberta.
That’s high praise for the sport, and the collective push of those who play seems to override the voices of dissenters.
“I could probably build 50 courts right now, and they would be full,” said Mayor Thorn confidently.
She may not be building 50, but the town has opened up four indoor courts at Foothills Centennial Centre, four indoor courts in the Okotoks Curling Rink (available April-August), and two outdoor courts at École Beausoleil for use with portable nets.
At the October 10 meeting, Okotoks Town Council approved the site selection of a new pickleball and tennis facility located on 5.45 acres at 10 Chinook Arch Way.
“We are really excited about the new facility. We are working with our local Okotoks pickleball club,” Thorn said.
By the looks of it, this might be just another divisive issue where compromises aren’t easily made. Essentially is another NIMBY (not in my backyard) issue.
Building courts away from residential areas helps, but some people complain about the distance required to access the courts.
And so it goes: it’s hard to please everyone!
Luckily, unlike most other polarizing conflicts, no one is dying, and the stakes are much lower on this “first world” issue.
