Richmond Hill has one of the fastest-growing pickleball communities in York Region and Ontario. Over the past five years, interest in the sport has exploded — yet the City has added only six dedicated outdoor courts in five years. While we welcome these courts, they fall far short of meeting the needs of the fast-growing pickleball community in Richmond Hill.

And importantly, there are no dedicated indoor pickleball facilities in Richmond Hill. Except for Rouge Woods Community Centre (shared space, limited hours), all other “indoor options” are temporary conversions of badminton or gym space with restricted access.

Pickleball Developments Timeline in Richmond Hill

• 2020 – City opens 2 dedicated outdoor courts at King’s College Park, located very close to residential homes. Long wait times and numerous complaints are associated with these courts.

• July 2022 – Council unanimously (9–0) approves Councillor Carmine Perrelli’s motion to build 16 dedicated pickleball courts at the David Dunlap Observatory Park panhandle, with provisions for a year-round air-supported structure.

• Late 2022 – Municipal election: Mayor West is re-elected. Councillors Perrelli, Beros, and Muench who supported the motion to build courts, were not re-elected.

• September 2023 – Council pauses the approved DDO project, citing the need for a “Tennis and Pickleball Strategy.” No start or completion date is provided. New councillors Thompson (Ward 2), Davidson (Ward 1), Shiu (Ward 6), and Cui (Ward 4) join the council and along with Mayor West, Councillors Di Paolo voted to pause the courts. The reality is that they have cancelled the project and further delayed all pickleball discussion to 2025.

• Spring 2025 – Council approves hiring Monteith Brown consultants for $144,000 to conduct the Tennis and Pickleball Strategy.

• July 2025 – City opens 4 dedicated outdoor courts at Bayview Hill Park and allows residents to reserve one court. Needless to say, these courts are very busy and it is not uncommon to show up, wait 20–30 minutes to play one game to 11, then sit and wait for 20–30 minutes.

• Summer 2025 – Staff advises Council that the Tennis and Pickleball Strategy will not be completed until 2027, after the next municipal election to be held in October 2026.

• This council claims they have done a lot for pickleball in Richmond Hill over the past few years >

  • 10 temporary pop-up courts at Richmond Green on an asphalt surface.

  • They opened temporary courts in two arenas in July and August 2025

  • They opened 4 new dedicated courts at Bayview Hill

  • They hired Monteith Brown to recommend a tennis and pickleball strategy for $144,000, even though it is well known that Monteith has completed numerous pickleball strategy reports for other cities and towns with similar conclusions.

  • They effectively postponed all discussion on pickleball for this Council's term in office, 2022-2026.

⚖️ The Facts

• Progress so far: Richmond Hill now has six dedicated outdoor courts — 2 at King’s College (2020) and 4 at Bayview Hill (2025).

• Still inadequate: For a community of this size, six courts are not nearly enough. Demand continues to surge, and players face long wait times at King's College Park and Bayview Hill. It is not uncommon for players to wait 20-30 minutes and play for 10-15 minute games. In 2 hours, you may play 3-4 games to 11.

• No indoor solution: Except for limited access/use at Rouge Woods Community Centre, there are no indoor pickleball facilities in Richmond Hill. This leaves players without year-round access, unlike many surrounding municipalities, such as Newmarket (Pop: 93,000), which will soon have 20 municipally owned and operated indoor courts opening in 2026.

• Temporary Solutions: Lined tennis courts, modified badminton courts, and seasonal pop-ups in arenas or parking lots are not substitutes for true pickleball hubs that bring communities together.

• Approved, then delayed: A dedicated facility at David Dunlap Observatory Park was approved in 2022, then paused in 2023. A strategy has been commissioned but won’t conclude until 2027.

Summary

Richmond Hill has added six outdoor courts and provided limited gym access for organized play or structured drop-ins, but there are still no true indoor pickleball facilities. After five years, the community continues to wait for the much-needed indoor/outdoor pickleball hub that was previously approved by Council in 2022. It was not a concept; it was approved. When it comes to pickleball and recreational infrastructure, this Council gets a failing grade.