Indoor pickleball facilities coming to Saskatoon and Regina through new partnership

Two new indoor pickleball facilities are coming to Saskatchewan’s largest cities, with the courts in Saskatoon expected to open this fall.

Pickr Canada said it has signed an agreement with Saskatchewan Pickleball Clubs Ltd. to develop and operate subfranchises in Saskatoon and Regina, “marking a substantial step forward in Pickr Canada’s commitment to growing the sport of pickleball across the nation.”

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In Saskatoon, the organization said a 31,000 square foot facility at 830 43rd Street East is being transformed to house 10 full-sized courts, along with locker rooms and a community space, with the facility expected to open this fall.

The Regina location is expected to open at a later date, and the company said it is in the process of evaluating potential sites, though it says it plans to open a pop-up location in the Queen City this summer in order to help address a shortage of playing spaces.

Larry Owen, president of Saskatchewan Pickleball Clubs Ltd., said his team has been looking for an opportunity like this for some “several years,” and was impressed by Picklr’s offering.

“It has been a lengthy search and we are excited that everything is moving so quickly in both cities,” Owen said in a statement.

“Saskatoon is the first out of the gate and the response from local players to date has been so overwhelming that a future expansion of additional indoor and outdoor courts is already being evaluated. This demonstrates the continued growth of the sport and the region’s readiness for premier indoor pickleball options.”

Rob Lloyd, Picklr Canada’s president, said the company is incredibly excited to expand into the province.

“This agreement underscores our dedication to providing top-tier pickleball experiences and further solidifies Picklr Canada’s position as a leader in the indoor pickleball market,” Lloyd said in a statement.

“It’s an important step for us, being the first multi-unit development agreement signed in Canada. Larry and the rest of the ownership group come to us well recommended from Saskatchewan and beyond and we are excited with how far along they are in the execution of their business plan.”

The company says it offers court reservations, space for league and tournament play, clinics and training opportunities, private event hosting, pro shop services, social events, food and beverage services and an unlimited play model allowing members to drop in at any of its 70 locations across Canada and the U.S.

Picklr Canada’s website lists details of two existing facilities, located in Winnipeg and Toronto. According to its website, an unlimited membership at the Winnipeg club costs $169/month, while the Toronto club is pricier, with unlimited monthly memberships going for $195.