Newmarket – A Case Study in Getting It Right

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Across Canada, municipalities are under pressure to meet the exploding demand for pickleball. Too often, the response has been reactive—painting lines on a few tennis courts or shoehorning pickleball into facilities never designed for it. But one community in York Region has shown what it looks like to get it right: Newmarket.

A Visionary Start

Back in 2015, Newmarket’s Recreation Playbook acknowledged pickleball’s potential. Long before most towns were paying attention, they converted two tennis courts at Quaker Park into six dedicated pickleball courts.

It was a small step at the time—but a visionary one. Fast forward to today, and the decision positioned Newmarket ahead of the curve.

Responding to Growth

As pickleball spread across every age group, demand quickly outpaced supply. Newmarket responded with dual-lined courts at Joe Persechini Park and winter access to school gyms. But instead of stopping there, they recognized these “quick fixes” weren’t enough.

In March 2023, staff presented a comprehensive strategy called “Supporting the Growth of Pickleball.” It called for:

• Converting Lions Park into a 12–14 court dedicated facility with future indoor bubble capability

• Partnering with the Newmarket Pickleball Club, a not-for-profit, to operate the site

• A three-tier court strategy: resurfacing, relining, and establishing pickleball-only facilities

• Prioritizing community-driven programming over outsourcing to consultants

Importantly, Newmarket did not hire expensive consultants. Instead, they relied on their capable municipal staff and real community input, proving that good planning doesn’t have to come with inflated costs.

Smart Partnerships & Community Investment

Newmarket’s willingness to work directly with residents and user groups has been central to their success. Instead of outsourcing the process, they built grassroots partnerships—backing the not-for-profit Newmarket Pickleball Club much like they did years ago with the Tennis Club.

And this approach isn’t limited to pickleball. Recently, Newmarket opened a brand-new tennis facility that the Town itself operates, ending a long-standing partnership with a for-profit operator. By doing so, they ensured profits are recycled back into Town-run programs rather than leaving the community.

This philosophy—prioritizing not-for-profit models and reinvesting revenues into programs—shows a deep commitment to community wellness and long-term growth.

Tackling Challenges Head-On

Pickleball’s rise has created friction in many communities—particularly over noise complaints and land constraints. Newmarket tackled these challenges with careful site selection and transparent public engagement.

In 2024, after evaluating multiple sites, the Town announced plans for a 20-court complex at 175 Bayview Parkway inside George Richardson Park. The location is central, away from backyards, designed for future bubbling, and even provisioned for a clubhouse.

By planning ahead, Newmarket is avoiding the costly backlash and lawsuits that have stalled pickleball development in other towns.

Why Newmarket Stands Out

Pickleball Partners has recognized Newmarket as York Region’s first Pickleball-Friendly Community. They earned this distinction because they:

• Acted quickly and strategically to meet demand

• Relied on staff expertise instead of expensive consultants

• Used genuine, affordable community engagement

• Partnered with not-for-profit groups to keep programming community-first

• Reinvested facility profits back into community programs

• Planned for long-term indoor/outdoor facilities

• Selected sites wisely to minimize conflict

In short, Newmarket listens, understands, and acts.

Lessons for Other Municipalities

What Newmarket proves is simple: you don’t need to reinvent the wheel, and you don’t need to spend millions on consultants. With capable staff, a willingness to collaborate, and long-term vision, any municipality can build successful pickleball infrastructure.

The key is thinking big, planning smart, and reinvesting locally.

Conclusion

Newmarket isn’t just building pickleball courts. They’re building community, reinvesting in recreation, and showing how municipalities can make sport a cornerstone of wellness.

For towns and cities across Canada looking for a model to follow, the message is clear: look to Newmarket. They got it right.

— Mike Bowcott
Pickleball Partners – Innovators in Pickleball Development