Kingston, Ont., is potentially set to host the regional pickleball championship tournament in 2024, as Quebec City has declined to host the event. With more than 400 athletes in need of a venue, the local branch of Pickleball Canada in Kingston is proposing to host the competition at the Bayridge Outdoor Racquet Courts. The city council will need to vote on the proposal at a meeting on Tuesday evening and would need to enter into an agreement with the Kingston Pickleball Club to use the outdoor courts for the tournament in June.
David Bussiere, pickleball director at the Kingston Racquet Centre, believes that hosting the tournament would help bring attention to the sport of pickleball in the region. He stated that Kingston is a hub for pickleball in Canada, with a strong community of players. The tournament was held in Kingston last year, and Bussiere hopes that hosting it again will continue to promote healthy activities and increase interest in the sport.
One pickleball player, Stefan Szrajer, enjoys coming to the racquet centre’s dome dedicated to pickleball for the exercise and camaraderie. He has been playing pickleball at the centre every Monday for the past few years and appreciates the opportunity to socialize with friends while staying active. Szrajer finds pickleball to be a fun and competitive way to get exercise and enjoys the sense of community that comes with playing the sport.
If the city council votes in favor of hosting the regional pickleball championship tournament in 2024, Kingston could once again be the center of attention for pickleball enthusiasts across the region. The Kingston Pickleball Club has not provided a comment on the matter until the organization confirms that the motion has been approved by council. The tournament would require a policy change to allow the public courts to be used specifically for the event in June.
Overall, the potential hosting of the regional pickleball championship tournament in 2024 in Kingston has the support of local pickleball enthusiasts and organizers. The event would not only bring attention to the sport of pickleball in the region but also provide an opportunity for players to come together, stay active, and enjoy some friendly competition. If the city council approves the proposal, Kingston will once again showcase its love for pickleball and strengthen its position as a hub for the sport in Canada.
