U.S. pickleball chain The Picklr opens first Canadian location in Winnipeg
Club at 262 Commerce Dr. has 10 regular courts, 2 championship courts available for members
As pickleball continues to rise in popularity across the country, a U.S.-based chain of indoor court facilities opened its first Canadian location in Winnipeg on Saturday.
The Picklr — which has more than 100 locations across the U.S., according to its website — welcomed members at its first Canadian club in Winnipeg's Tuxedo Business Park on Saturday morning.
General manager Brent Bernas said members were excited to hit the courts, with the sounds of dinks and volleys within minutes after doors opened at 7 a.m.
"Everybody was super happy to get out there. By 7:05 a.m., the courts were full and people were batting it back and forth," he said.
The facility at 262 Commerce Dr., has 10 regular courts and two championship courts — the "only two championship courts in the province," Bernas said, adding the Winnipeg south location intends to host pickleball tournaments in the near future.
It also has a community room and a gear shop that sells a variety of pickleball equipment.
Member Kally-Anna Clinton was among the first Winnipeggers to play on the new courts on Saturday. She said she fell in love with the sport over a year ago and now plays with friends at least three times per week.
She said she rallied to reserve a court booking opened on Thursday.
"It was just a mass frenzy of booking a million spots and clinics, texting all my friends to meet up to play, and inviting friends that aren't members yet to come and play as well," Clinton said.
Adult club memberships cost $169 per month or $1,859 annually for individual unlimited access, The Picklr's website says.
Bernas said the first 300 memberships sold out within an hour during the presale. He estimates the club has as many as 400 members as of Saturday.
Member Brad Joss, who was among the first in the city to sign up for an annual membership, said he was just checking out the club on Saturday before he hits the courts for his first session next week.
"It looks like a beautiful facility," he said.
Joss said he's happy to have an indoor space to play pickleball in Winnipeg, especially during the long and frigid winters.
"I just think it's going to be good for the city," he said.
The Picklr plans to open 65 clubs across Canada within five years, according to a news release, with Winnipeg serving as the national headquarters. Two more locations are expected to open in Winnipeg in the coming years, Bernas said.
Bernas said staff at new Canadian locations opening will be sent to Winnipeg to train.
"Whenever a location opens up, their staff would come here to train. We're proud about that: Winnipeggers training the rest of Canada," he said.
Mark Arndt, chief development officer of The Picklr Canada, said a location is also expected to open in Brandon, Man.
Non-members can attend the Winnipeg south club's public grand opening event on Jan. 31, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Bernas said everyone is invited to come and try out the sport.
"We want Winnipeg to show up in droves. It's open play, free to everybody," he said.
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With files from Gavin Axelrod