The old Safeway at Lougheed mall in Burnaby is set to get a new lease on life as a 36,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art indoor pickleball facility.
With 10 indoor courts set to open this December, the Inclusive Place of Pickleball – or IPOP – said the facility answers the rapidly growing demand for dedicated pickleball courts in the Lower Mainland.
“We're excited to create an inclusive space where everyone – from first-timers to seasoned pros – can experience pickleball's physical, mental, and social benefits," said Chris White, CEO and “chief paddle officer” of IPOP, in a press release.
“It’s going to be pickleball paradise,” said an IPOP Instagram post.
Pickleballers won’t have to share the courts with tennis players or battle over schedules, as the new space will be dedicated to “all pickleball, all the time.”
The Lougheed IPOP location will include:
- Nine professional-grade indoor courts
- One regulation-size practice court
- Expert coaching
- Organized leagues and tournaments
- Pro shop
- Challenge zones to practice aim and accuracy
- Player lounge
- Corporate event area
- Online booking
- Inclusive programming for all skills levels
The facility will be membership-based, where members have all-day, everyday access to drop-in play for a monthly fee, according to the IPOP website, along with “member for a day” passes for visitors and guests.
Membership pricing will come at a later date, according to the website.
IPOP was created to serve Canadian needs and avoid incurring the high franchise royalties of American options, which could be as high as 10% to 18% according to White.
The company has plans to expand to more facilities in Surrey, Victoria, Nanaimo, Penticton, Montreal and Anchorage.
