Brandon Mackie believes in the saying, “If you build it, they will come.”
Abbotsford has been continually providing facilities for pickleball with two courts at TopSpin Pickleball Club, four at Bradner Pickleball Courts, eight at Jubilee Park and 12 indoor courts at the Ag-Rec Building.
Mackie, the co-founder of Pickleheads, estimates the sport grew 10 times over the pandemic period with every city in Canada seeing a steady increase in participation since then.
The City of Abbotsford has supported the growth, announcing an agreement with the Abbotsford Pickleball Association last year for the expansion at the Ag-Rec Building. The Abbotsford Recreation Centre also provides indoor play.
According to Mackie, pickleball can be played in churches or by putting lines down in a gym, but the growth of the sport comes from the commitment to dedicated facilities like Abbotsford has accomplished.
“It is very rare to have a facility like Abbotsford has with eight dedicated pickleball courts.” Mackie says.
Despite the idea that pickleball is played mostly by older individuals, the fastest growing age group is 18 to 24 years of age. It is an affordable sport that can be played at a fast or slow pace depending on the preference of the players, allowing everyone to participate.
“I think that is why the sport has grown so fast,” Mackie says. “People from all different backgrounds; anywhere from fancy country clubs all the way down to the local parks in the neighbourhood, everyone can get involved.”
Mackie is based out of Scottsdale, Ariz. He co-founded Pickelheads with two friends in 2022, and now tracks the growth of the sport across North America.
Abbotsford players can find courts, games and open plays on pickleheads.com.
READ MORE: Abbotsford’s Ag-Rec Building transforming into pickleball courts