Pickleball is 'buzzing in our region,' so Kitchener turned Carl Zehr Square into a giant court

The City of Kitchener has heard residents loud and clear: they want more spaces to play pickleball. 

That's why Carl Zehr Square has turned into a giant pickleball court on Tuesday, for the first annual Downtown Kitchener Paddle Palooza Pickleball Festival.

"This sport is buzzing in our region," said Julie Doherty, the city's sport development co-ordinator and organizer of Paddle Palooza.

Pickleball has been hailed as the fastest-growing sport in North America. It was invented in the 1960s and is a blend of badminton and table tennis. 

The sound of pickleball is distinct because of the collision of players' paddles and the hard plastic balls. It can even be a source of conflict between players and the public.

"It used to be a quieter sport, You would sort of focus on the older adults playing, but we're really seeing the younger folks coming in as well to play the game of pickleball — you're seeing it pop up everywhere," she said.

The demand is so great, Doherty said, residents are turning public spaces into pickleball courts, like tennis courts, spaces in community centres and parks, and even city streets.

Guelph's seniors' association has even had a waitlist to play the game since 2022, with the city promising to add courts in the next few years. 

WATCH | Why seniors are into pickleball:

Guelph seniors call for more pickleball courts

10 months ago

Duration 1:05

Pickleball has taken off in Guelph among people aged 55 and over. The Guelph Wellington Seniors Association introduced the sport 10 years ago. But in the last two years it has become so popular, there is a wait list. CBC K-W spoke with senior association president Pat Gage.

"People will go anywhere to set up a pickleball court, which is great," Doherty said.

So why not the splash pad in front of Kitchener's city hall?

The Downtown Kitchener Paddle Palooza Pickleball Festival began Tuesday afternoon at 2 p.m. ET with the battle of downtown businesses, followed by drop-in community play at 3 p.m. and the pro tournament beginning at 6 p.m.

The city will provide a "learn-to-play" court for newbies so every level of pickleball player can join in.

"There will be paddles and nets available. There will be people there to assist as well for some that have never played the game, just to give them some guidance and some tips as well while they're on the street playing," Doherty explained.

For anyone not interested in playing pickleball, the festival will have live music, food trucks, a beer garden and vendors.