Dartmouth’s pickleball scene could get a new venue

Halifax regional councillors are set to assess the viability of bringing an outdoor pickleball facility to Dartmouth.

At council on Tuesday May 13, council will vote on a motion to direct staff to identify potential locations for an outdoor pickleball facility in Dartmouth, including prospective costs and other considerations.

The cousin of tennis, pickleball, has exploded over the past few years, becoming North America’s fastest-growing sport, but without dedicated infrastructure, pickleball enthusiasts are often sharing courts with other sports, leading to scheduling conflicts, overcrowding and limited access.

“Pickleball promotes physical fitness, mental well-being, and social interaction. It’s accessible to people of varying fitness levels and abilities,” the request to council reads. “Encouraging active lifestyles improves physical and mental health and improves community well-being.”

In December 2024, council was faced with complaints to close pickleball courts in the Castle Park Hill neighbourhood due to excessive noise. As a result, a study completed by staff said Halifax should follow Vancouver’s approach to pickleball, adopted after lawsuits were filed against the city in 2021 and 2022 for excessive pickleball noise.

Under the Vancouver model, pickleball courts are required to be evenly distributed throughout the city and use appropriate sound barriers to keep noise levels below 50 decibels.

HRM has confirmed that the Dartmouth Pickleball Association is willing to participate financially to open the new facility.

– with files from the Canadian Press