COQUITLAM, B.C., June 3, 2021 – If you’ve been wanting to try out pickleball, a new option will soon be available at Bramble Park in Coquitlam.
To address rising interest in the up-and-coming paddle sport, the City will be marking three tennis courts at Bramble Park for alternate use as six pickleball courts from June 7 to 20. Availability of the courts for pickleball could be extended depending on use and feedback during this pilot project.
As part of the pilot, the new PoCoMo Pickleball Club will be hosting open houses and try-it sessions on Sunday June 13 from 9 a.m. to noon and Wednesday, June 16 from 5 to 8 p.m.
Portable Nets Required at Bramble
During the two-week trial period, painted lines will be in place, but players will be required to bring their own nets. If the pickleball use is extended, fixed nets may be installed, meaning tennis play would be redirected to nearby court locations.
The courts at Bramble Park will be available on a first-come, first-served basis except for timeslots reserved for PoCoMo Pickleball Club use during the pilot: Mondays from 9 a.m. to noon, Tuesdays from 5 to 8 p.m., and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon. Club information can be found at https://infopro.ca/ppc.
Supporting a Rapidly Growing Sport
The surging interest in pickleball – which uses a whiffle ball and combines elements of tennis, badminton and table tennis – has steadily increased demand at the City’s seven outdoor and four indoor pickleball sites, listed at www.coquitlam.ca/pickleball.
New pickleball sites are carefully selected. Bramble Park’s courts, for example, are expected to have reduced impact on homes due to a buffer of parkland, hills, the Crunch trail and Bramblewood Elementary. The site also offers ample nearby parking and shared washrooms at the school.
The pilot will assess use and collect feedback from players, park visitors and neighbours. If required, sound baffles may be installed if the pilot is extended. Feedback is welcomed at parks@coquitlam.ca.
Tennis players who usually play at Bramble are encouraged to try out the newly resurfaced courts at nearby Panorama Park and Eagle Ridge Park, or see www.coquitlam.ca/tennis for other options.
Information about Coquitlam’s pickleball courts, including the City’s Tennis and Pickleball Services and Facilities Strategy, can be found at www.coquitlam.ca/pickleball.
Media contact:
Kathleen Reinheimer
Manager Parks, Recreation and Culture
City of Coquitlam
604-927-3533
kreinheimer@coquitlam.ca