Kelowna pickleball tournament aims to fund new courts

KELOWNA – What’s expected to be the first of many annual Kelowna Open Pickleball Tournaments has more than fun in mind.

The July 5 to 7 event at the Parkinson Recreation Centre is hosted by Kelowna Pickleball Club and is expected to attract 400 competitors and 2,000 spectators.

“The mandate for our club is to raise funds for our Future Courts Project,” Tournament Director Randy Woodruff said in a news release. “Our current facility will be eliminated due to developments made by the City of Kelowna in the next five years. Our club is taking a proactive approach to raising funds to construct a dedicated pickleball facility that will have a huge impact on our community for years to come.”

The city plans to replace the recreation centre by 2023, although funding has not yet been allocated for the project.

The tournament follows on the heels of the club hosting the last four pickleball national tournaments.

It will start at 8:30 a.m. each day and feature 27 singles and doubles events per day, along with vendors selling pickleball gear and beer gardens Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

Woodruff is looking for court sponsors at prices ranging from $250 to $5,000.

More information on the club is available on its website here or by emailing Woodruff at info@pickleballkelowna.com or by phone at 250-878-1889.

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