Newmarket Sets the Standard for Pickleball Development in York Region - Part II
Newmarket is leading the way in York Region with its bold plan to build a 20-court, year-round indoor pickleball facility at George Richardson Park — a project developed collaboratively with the Newmarket Pickleball Club and fast-tracked without costly consultants. Pickleball Partners reviewed the Town’s 2023 staff report and recent design updates and found that the project’s financial projections significantly underestimate its potential. With a well-designed membership and court-fee model, the facility could achieve payback in 8–10 years, or as little as 7 years with improved structural choices. This initiative positions Newmarket as the most pickleball-progressive municipality in York Region, surpassing larger neighbours like Richmond Hill, Markham, and Vaughan, and establishing itself as a true pickleball-friendly community.
Mike Bowcott
11/3/20253 min read
When it comes to pickleball infrastructure and community planning, Newmarket has officially taken the lead in York Region.
The Town’s decision to move forward with a 20-court, year-round indoor pickleball facility at George Richardson Park marks a milestone for the sport in Ontario — and a model for how municipalities can work collaboratively with their local clubs to make things happen efficiently and affordably. Link to story in Newmarket Today > "Going to set Newmarket apart" - Pickleball players get a look at plan for new facility
A Collaborative, Common-Sense Approach
Unlike many projects bogged down by consultants and delays, Newmarket worked directly with the Newmarket Pickleball Club, using practical input from players and local leaders to design a facility that meets real-world needs.
This is exactly what good planning looks like — clear priorities, community engagement, and financial realism.
As Pickleball Partners reviewed the Town’s 2023 staff report and subsequent council updates, we saw how Newmarket’s original “seasonal bubble” concept has evolved into a full year-round facility. The final design includes:
20 regulation courts, including one adaptive-access court for wheelchair play
A heated and air-conditioned permanent dome
A clubhouse with changerooms and washrooms
Trail connections, tree buffers, and patio viewing areas for spectators
Completion targeted for late 2026
This approach is eerily similar to the plan Richmond Hill approved in July 2022 for its David Dunlap Observatory Park project — except Newmarket actually moved forward.
The Financial Reality: Stronger Than You Expect
We reviewed Newmarket’s original financial projections from 2023 and believe they understated both revenue and profitability.
If the Town adopts a tiered membership model — residents vs. non-residents, annual members vs. guests — with differentiated court fees and access privileges, the facility’s payback period will likely fall between 8 and 10 years.
With moderate adjustments — such as incorporating dynamic programming, extended evening hours, and a modest increase in non-resident rates — the payback could be reduced to 7–8 years.
The Dome vs. The Structure Debate
The permanent air-supported dome is a practical solution, but it comes with limitations. Domes typically have:
High heating and cooling costs (up to $600,000 per year)
A 12–14 year lifespan before full membrane replacement
Acoustic challenges and increased humidity without advanced air-handling
There are options that could significantly reduce lifecycle costs and extend the facility’s life:
A high-performance, aluminum-framed, tensioned-membrane structure with an insulated liner (R-25 to R-47) can extend facility life to 25–30 years, lower utility costs by $200,000–$300,000 annually, and provide a quieter, more comfortable play environment year-round.
As we’ve seen across Canada, these buildings offer true four-season performance with 40–60% better energy efficiency — and they make a compelling case for long-term municipal investment.
Programming and Partnerships
Under the current plan:
The Newmarket Pickleball Club will manage programming in the summer, mirroring the successful Newmarket Tennis Club model.
The Town’s Recreation Department will operate fall, winter, and spring sessions.
This shared operating model maximizes use, ensures consistent player access, and allows for specialized programming — leagues, clinics, tournaments, and drop-in play. It’s a model that works, and it will be hard for private facilities to compete with a well-run, multi-court municipal complex like this one.
Leading York Region by Example
With a population of just 93,000, Newmarket has outperformed larger neighbours such as Vaughan, Markham, and Richmond Hill when it comes to actually delivering recreational infrastructure.
Project initiated: Late 2023
Construction start: 2025
Completion: End of 2026
Compare that to Richmond Hill — once the regional leader in pickleball planning — where all progress has been paused until 2027.
The contrast is striking: one community moves decisively; the other defers.
A Pickleball-Friendly Community
If you’re a pickleball player looking to live, work, or play in York Region, Newmarket is setting the standard.
From planning to execution, they’ve shown what’s possible when a municipality listens to players, partners with its local club, and makes strategic investments in sport infrastructure.
Congratulations to the Town of Newmarket and the Newmarket Pickleball Club — this project truly will set Newmarket apart.
Prepared by:
Pickleball Partners – Innovators in Pickleball Development