Kitchen Sink Newsletter Report May 2026 Edition
The Kitchen Sink May 2026 Edition, Pickleball BC (“PBC”) President’s Introduction
Happy Victoria Day long weekend and we hope that you enjoy the good weather with family and friends (go Habs!). Welcome to our May 16th 2026 edition of our Kitchen Sink Newsletter which highlights many of the new and continuing initiatives that PBC and our Affiliated and Associated Clubs and Facilities are undertaking across BC.
Short note that our new PBC website development is coming along nicely and if on schedule, will be unveiled before our next Kitchen Sink Newsletter – so stay tuned!
In this May 2026 edition we wanted to highlight: announcing new Affiliate and Associated Clubs and Facilities that have joined our now 108 organizations who are formally affiliated with PBC; final call expressions of interest for 4.0+ DUPR BC players to join our BC Provincial Team; “From Our Clubs” segment highlighting The Nest, one of BC’s newest and largest facilities and our host for the 2026 Provincials; success stories about recent AYPBC Phase 2 initiatives like the NCCP accreditation efforts across BC (example below) and more about the 7 BC AYPBC Regions such as Sunshine Coast Regional successes here; building of new facilities outlined in our Facilities Kitchen Corners; our Community Youth Grant Program initiatives in our Youth Grants Corner sections here; and, other updates on 2026 tournaments, Breaking News, Policy and Board reports highlighting our focus on new initiatives across BC.
Enjoy all the new news and updates in our May 2026 Kitchen Sink Newsletter and I would be happy to hear from any clubs or facilities who would like to join our Affiliated or Associated Programs – and remember, your protective eyewear is not useful in your bag!
David Snell
President Pickleball BC
President@PickleballBC.ca
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News From Our Clubs
The Nest clubhouse rendering with Pickleball Depot retail store.
“Our large sports buildings are now in the final stages of completion. Lighting installation and electrical work are underway, …”
<Click link to read more.>
• The Nest—Update
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<Click link to read more.>
PBC Board Meeting Minutes:
• April 14, 2026
• March 10, 2026
More PBC Board information including Youth Programs, Committees, Policies, Strategic Plans, President’s Reports and more on PBC website.
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PBC President’s Report
Announcing New BC Affiliate and Associated Pickleball Clubs and Facilities
PBC is pleased to announce that this month so far we have welcomed 2 additional clubs/facilities to our now 108 clubs and facilities in BC.
The Nest has joined our Partner Program as an Associated Partner Organization. As an Associated Partner they are a for-profit/private (which is typical) facility operator as opposed to our Affiliate Clubs who are typically dedicated only to pickleball, non-profit and are a BC Society Member. Associated organizations, who can be multi-sport, enjoy the benefits of our PBCA Partner Program including a recent expansion of insurance coverage and are listed on Pickleball Canada’s (PCO) PCNS software but typically use their own membership management systems.
Please read more about The Nest in our “From Our Clubs” segment here and more information on the PBC Affiliate Club and Associated Organization programs here.
BC Society is a non-profit company incorporated under the BC Societies Act
Next we have the Prince Rupert Pickleball Society (“PRPS”) formed on December 2, 2025, who began with a small group of passionate players who now serve as its directors. In just a few short months, the Society has created numerous opportunities for local players of all skill levels. A major tournament held in April attracted over 100 participants from across the region, including players from Vancouver Island. The event featured multiple divisions, including new categories never before offered in Prince Rupert, such as singles play. Now they are a PBC Affiliated Club enjoying all the benefits of Club Membership included in that program and they will be highlighted next month in our “From Our Clubs” segment so stay tuned.
Final Call: Expressions of interest for BC Provincial Team Consideration
Given that you are interested in applying for our 2026 BC Provincial Team and have not done so yet, heads up that applications close 5pm PDT on May 31st 2026 so please apply soon.
If you believe that you qualify (details in our April Kitchen Sink Newsletter here), please send the following information to TournamentCommittee@PickleballBC.ca at your earliest convenience:
- Provide your first Division and Event choice – only one event per player
- Suggest other Events or partners that you may want to play with who have received acknowledgement that they have qualified to apply to be on the Team
- Provide highlights of your tournament experiences and if you wish, other considerations of why you believe that you should be included on the BC Team
Thanks again for your interest and we will be following up with you again when we have everyone’s requested information, new information to share or questions regarding your application.
Register for the Upcoming PBC Provincial Championships and PCO’s Nationals
With 832 players registered there is still some room in our BC Provincial Championships at The Nest in Tsawwassen – registrations close July 8th 2026 at 10pm PDT on Pickleball.com so sign up soon if you want to join in the competition – or you can just come to watch and join in to celebrate our 2026 Provincial Champions.
For all those wishing to volunteer please email stacydeakin@gmail.com.
Reminder also with 836 players already signed up that our PCO Canadian National Championships will be held at the Pickleplex locations in Toronto Ontario – registration closes on August 10th at 8am ET on pickleball.com. Our Inter-Provincial Competitions on that Thursday will feature our returning BC Provincial Gold medallists who will be defending our trophy!
PBC’s AYPBC Phase 2 Program Update
Pickleball BC (PBC)’s AYPBC (Advancing Youth Pickleball in BC) Phase 2 Program: Teacher/Coach NCCP Level 1 Accreditation held in Victoria yesterday – pictured center NCCP’s Paul Fitzgerald a Pickleball Canada-certified instructor, with the teachers as students above (picture courtesy of Connie McCann a Regional AYPBC Leader and permissions)
As Phase 2 progresses across our 7 Regions in BC, we have many things going on with our youth introductions to pickleball including NCCP accreditation, Slamborees and in-school pickleball curriculum programming. Rather than repeat them here please read all about it in our AYPBC website pages here.
Kitchen Corners Reports. Updates on Memberships, Refereeing and Grants as noted above.
Finally, we encourage you to send us your Club stories and pics for consideration in our monthly “From our Clubs” segment, or if you can share some of your Club event pics for possible inclusion on our PBC website, Virtual Trophy page or PBC Instagram site, we would really appreciate it – for consideration please send them to Marcom@PickleballBC.ca.
This Newsletter contains plenty of new news which I hope you can enjoy along with family and friends on this long weekend. All comments and contributions are very welcome!
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David Snell, President
PICKLEBALL BC ASSOCIATION
President@PickleballBC.ca
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News From Our Clubs:
The Nest Sports—Update
The Nest Sports (PBC Associated Partner), with Steve Deakin Pickleball, will host the 2026 Provincial Championships, July 22 – 26. Players can register here.
We’ve been making major progress over the past few weeks. Despite receiving our turnkey clubhouse modules nearly two months late — and still unfinished — instead of a June 1st opening, we are looking at a July 1st opening.
Our large sports buildings are now in the final stages of completion. Lighting installation and electrical work are underway, which means we’ll soon be able to clear out the remaining construction materials and begin preparing the playing surfaces. Both buildings will feature premium cushioned mat systems that your knees and joints will definitely appreciate.
Focusing on the Pickleball Building, the layout has been designed to create an exceptional playing and spectator experience. The facility will feature five court zones separated by 12-foot-high court dividers for improved visibility and reduced distractions. Each court will also include side court barriers for enhanced ball containment.
The building will include:
- 4 zones with 3 pickleball courts each
- 1 feature zone with 2 showcase courts
- 14 total cushioned courts
- Spacious 36 x 64 ft court dimensions
- More than 35 feet of overhead clearance
- Non-glare LED lighting positioned off to the sides of each court for optimal visibility
Pickleball building ready for courts to be installed May 11th.
Technology will also play a major role in the player experience. Twelve of the fourteen courts will be equipped with PlaySight camera systems to record sessions, along with PlaySight “Tag Me” buttons that allow players to instantly save the previous 30 seconds of an exciting rally or point.
Clubhouse has arrived and lots of work to get it finished inside and out, and is tracking for June 15th completion.
For spectators and player comfort, the building will initially include:
- 2 sets of telescoping bleachers with seating for up to 190 spectators
- A dedicated lounge area with seating for approximately 50 people
- Benches at every court comfortably seating 4–6 players
- Wide walkways that allow easy movement throughout the facility without disrupting play
Clubhouse AI rendering will be very accurate to how it will look when finished. With Pickleball Depot’s store right inside the front entrance, 15 unisex washrooms, Boardroom, first aid room, a large lounge space, with TV’s placed everywhere.
“We are confident in Steve, Lorne, and their team’s ability to make this Provincial Tournament a reality—one that our BC pickleball community can be proud of. This tournament will help elevate pickleball across BC by strengthening community pride, increasing participation, and setting a new standard for future provincial events.“, says David Snell, PBC President.
The vision for this facility has always been to create a world-class environment for players, spectators, leagues, tournaments, and community events — and we’re excited to see it all coming together.
Lorne Loiselle – Director
The Nest Sport
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Kitchen Corners: Facilities
New BC Pickleball Facilities Meeting Public Demand
The growing demand for pickleball is prompting private clubs, municipalities and Pickleball BC clubs to invest in new facilities to support increased participation. These initiatives are helping communities improve access to courts, strengthening local recreational programs, and recognizing pickleball as a lasting and significant sport with positive social and health impacts.
Here are some examples of how demands are being met for our BC pickleball community.
PBC Affiliated Club: 108 Mile Ranch Community Centre, South Cariboo Pickleball Association (“SCPA”)
Pictured are Sharon MacDonald, BC Head Referee representing Pickleball BC, and Larry Davis, President of SCPA.
“Davis said they were able to build seven courts specifically designed for pickleball, all neatly divided by chain link fences. The project cost a total of $200,000, made up of money raised by the pickleballers along with grants and donations from the CRD (Cariboo Regional District), NDIT (Northern Development Initiative Trust), and District of 100 Mile House.” 100 Mile House Free Press
(On-site report courtesy of Sharon MacDonald …)
Instead of a ribbon-cutting ceremony, SCPA* held a cake-cutting ceremony for their Grand Opening of 7 outdoor courts in 108 Mile.
It was an honour and privilege to attend the grand opening of the 7 outdoor courts in 108 Mile on Saturday, May 2nd 2026. The weather was beautiful, the people very welcoming and the enthusiasm infectious.
Following the opening was their first ever tournament on the new courts.
Many groups were involved in making this venture a reality and they were acknowledged at the event. Future plans include resurfacing the courts and installing washroom facilities.
*2025 Pickleball BC Association Grant Recipient
PBC Affiliated Club: North Shore Pickleball Club (“NSPC”) Celebrates 10th Year Anniversary
District of North Vancouver Councillor Catherine Pope (left) and (right) Estha Parg Murenbeeld, President, NSPC at the site of 6 new Delbrook outdoor courts coming this August.
“2026 marks the 10th year of the North Shore Pickleball Club! In that time 34 permanent courts have been built on the North Shore thanks to NSPC advocacy! 19 in the District of North Vancouver, 11 in West Vancouver and 4 in the City. Our numbers speak volumes! Let’s celebrate that this year.” NSPC Facebook Group
PBC Associated Partner: The Nest, Delta
In the 4th quarter of 2025, PBC awarded the 2026 BC Pickleball Championships to The Nest/Steve Deakin Pickleball (“SDP”), where the event will run from July 22 – 26, 2026 in the new facility adjacent to Tsawwassen Mills Shopping Centre, Tsawwassen, BC. The Nest, in collaboration with BC’s winning professional MLP Las Vegas Night Owls coach and PPA Tour competitor Steve Deakin Pickleball (SDP), will open with its 98,000-square-foot space and will be the largest indoor pickleball centre and sports facility in British Columbia.
According to Steve Deakin: “We look forward to working closely with Pickleball BC to deliver an event that prioritizes and elevates the athlete experience. We are incredibly excited to welcome players of all ages and skill levels to The Nest and to showcase the amenities that make our facility such a special place to play.”
Friendly reminder to register here for the 2026 PBC Provincials at The Nest.
Private Club: Fairgrounds, North Vancouver
Fairgrounds, in North Vancouver, is a private indoor pickleball facility located in the Capilano Mall. Opened in December 2025, it is the largest of its kind in the city with 15 premium indoor courts across 60,000 square feet.
From the mall website: “More than just a place to play, Fairgrounds is designed as a community hub where everyone can get involved, from beginners trying the game for the first time to seasoned players looking for competition. With drop-in play, flexible memberships, leagues, coaching, and tournaments, there’s something for every level.”
For more information or if you have any Facilities content you would like to share, please contact:
Doug McKay
Facilities
Doug@PickleballBC.ca
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Kitchen Corners: PBCA Grants Program
Sir William Van Horne PAC
Hi Sharon,
I wanted to provide a follow‑up on the grant and share how impactful the program has been over the past year and into its second season.
Last year was the first year of the program, with approximately 10–20 students participating during Friday lunch periods. Students ranged in age from kindergarten through Grade 7. After eating lunch, students rotated through pickleball play, which quickly became a highly anticipated activity.
With the support of the grant and the purchase of paddles, we were also able to establish a school pickleball team consisting of seven students from Grades 4–7. The team participated in organized practices and games and competed against other schools within the Vancouver District.
At the end of the season, students had the opportunity to participate in the Slamboree Pickleball Tournament held at David Thompson Secondary School, where approximately 70 students took part. It was an incredible experience for the participants, who were able to further develop their skills, build confidence, and engage with a broader pickleball community. The feedback from students was overwhelmingly positive. Many described it as the best part of their school year.
We have now begun our second year of the pickleball program, and participation remains strong, with a similar number of students involved as in the first year. It has been exciting to see continued interest and enthusiasm as we start this new season.
Looking ahead, our Coach, Ms. Wong plans to continue growing the pickleball program at Van Horne and to further build connections with other schools. We hope to create additional opportunities for both teachers and students to become involved and to continue expanding the pickleball community.
Thank you very much for your support of this program. Please let me know if there is any additional information I can provide.
Warren Mills
Sir William Van Horne PAC
Apply For Your Grant Funding Today
If you have a need and feel that your club qualifies for either our expanded Youth or Community Grants, please apply here, or if you have any questions contact …
Suzi Inkman
Treasurer & Grant Administrator
Grants@PickleballBC.ca
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Kitchen Corners: Head Referee Corners
Head Referee Report
We have two successful verified trainees complete their assessment to Level 1 status in Victoria—Congratulations to KIM COOK and LYNN DUPLESSIS. Thank you to Tessa Graham and Ray Cyr for their hard work in training many successful candidates.
A 2nd Invite to a PPA event being held at the Nest in Twassenssen September 10 – 13 has been sent out to all accredited referees for the opportunity to work this event.
A new event for the Canadian National Pickleball League is being held in August. Details on this event will be available soon.
An Assessment on another verified trainee was held May 9 in Vernon. Head Referee Suzan Ross with Tony Loog being the joint assessors. Congratulations to DIANE STEINBY on successfully completion to Level 1.
The final touches have been put on the Referee Grant Form for Sanctioned Tournaments. This is an opportunity for all sanctioned tournaments to receive funding not only from PBCA but from PCO towards refereeing. This is to encourage refereeing for all games. This form is available on the website here at the bottom of page.
A new Request for Assessment Form is now available to all Referee Trainers. This form needs to be filled out with their Request to have one of their verified trainees put forward for assessment. Please familiarize yourselves with this as it needs to be submitted to the Head Referee before an Assessment can be approved. This form is available on the website here, which is also at the bottom of page.
I had the pleasure to attend at 108 Mile for the grand opening of their outdoor courts. The South Cariboo Pickleball Association have been successful in building 7 new outdoor courts by the Community Hall. Plans are already underway to have the courts resurfaced and washroom facilities built. Congratulations to a group of very hard-working Board members and a dedicated community of over 100 pickleball players. You are an inspiration.
The Kamloops Open is scheduled for May 29, 30, 31. This is a very popular tournament and will also boast several referee assessments. Good luck to all candidates and thank you to Rick Folk as head referee for this tournament for accommodating this.
A “mark your calendar” was sent out to all referees with respect to the 55+ Games being held in Kamloops September 9 – 12. This might seem like a long way away, but most referees are booking already for their Fall events and we want to make sure that we get on their calendars before it is too late.
Respectfully submitted,
Sharon MacDonald
British Columbia Head Referee
Regional Training Coordinator for Western Canada
HeadReferee@PickleballBC.ca
“We Rise by Lifting others”
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Kitchen Corners: By The Numbers
May 2026 Membership Report
As of May 12, 2026, there are 18,323 active members. This shows an increase of approximately 1,600 over last month. Membership growth is slightly more than last month.
In summary, there were 1,699 memberships processed in March 2026. This is slightly higher than last month by approximately 475 memberships. 949 renewals and 750 new memberships were processed.
See you on the court.
Blair Morton
PBC Registrar
Registrar@PickleballBC.ca
Thinking of Joining—Follow The Link!
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Sponsorships
We urge you to support and thank all our sponsors at every opportunity—they are listed throughout our website and in this newsletter. Sponsorships can help to defray the cost of hosting our website, sending this newsletter and also of supporting the running and promoting of tournaments and clinics.
Opportunities exist for businesses and individuals, starting at $50.00 to sponsor and support pickleball in British Columbia—details on our Sponsor Program page or contact Marcom@PickleballBC.ca.
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Website or Newsletter
As always we are delighted to receive suggestions and/or contributions of content for the website and future newsletters. Send to Marcom@PickleballBC.ca.
David Snell
President, Pickleball BC (Association)
President@PickleballBC.ca
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