High school gets into pickle

Gordon Bell High School in Winnipeg has introduced a state-of-the-art pickleball facility, catering to the growing popularity of the sport among students. The $25 million project, funded jointly with basketball initiative Buckets and Borders, included the installation of four custom-made pickleball courts and enhancements to the surrounding area. The transformation, which began in 2023, has been months in the making and has transformed the previously inaccessible courtyard into a vibrant hub for the sport.

Grade 12 student Matea Thiessen Unger, who co-presides over the student council, describes the new courts as "the cherry on top" of the school's multi-year renovation. She and her fellow student council president, 16-year-old Mischka Valencia, express immense excitement about the new facility, which will debut during the school's 100th anniversary celebrations. Both students believe the new courts will foster a sense of pride and enhance the overall student experience.

Winnipeg School Division superintendent Matt Henderson emphasizes that the new facility aligns with the community's desires and meets the needs of the students. He notes that the students themselves requested the pickleball infrastructure as part of the overall track and basketball court revitalization. Phys-ed teacher Sean Cruickshank has been utilizing the new pickleball courts since the start of the school year, highlighting their potential to promote long-term health and wellness among students.

Pickleball Manitoba president Ted Fardoe notes that the sport has seen a significant increase in popularity, with its average player age now more than three times that of the students at Gordon Bell. Fardoe's organization has seen a surge in membership in recent years, with active members now numbering over 2,200, up from around 400 in 2022. The association is actively pursuing school outreach initiatives to grow the sport and attract young athletes.

Despite pickleball's growing presence in schools, it is not yet recognized as an official high school sport by the Manitoba High Schools Athletic Association. However, the sport has gained traction at various events, with previous pickleball tournaments drawing hundreds of participants from across the province. As the sport continues to gain momentum, Gordon Bell High School's pickleball courts stand as a testament to the school's commitment to providing students with cutting-edge facilities and fostering a spirit of community engagement and healthy living.