iN VIDEO: Kelowna Curling Club transformed into pickleball centre

In a normal year, the Kelowna Curling Club would see an uptick in trade shows in the spring but the COVID-19 pandemic has forced the club to think outside the box.

The club recently transformed the curling rinks at its location on Recreation Avenue into 10 pickleball courts and four bocce courts.

“We’ve never done anything other than trade shows in the summer but because we’ve been forced to shut down trade shows, just like everybody else, we’re trying something,” general manager Jock Tyre said.

One-on-one pickleball and bocce and a food service is available so residents can get food and drinks to go.

Tables and chairs have been set up for when the restrictions ease.

“I had enough people telling there was a demand so we thought ‘let’s give it a shot,’” Tyre said, adding the City encouraged it as Kelowna is short on pickleball courts in the summer.

READ MORE: Not just for Baby Boomers: Okanagan pickleball business grows with player demand

The cost is $6 per person per hour from 9:30 a.m. to 6 or 7 p.m., he said.

“If everything goes well we’ll run it until curling season into September," Tyre said. “In the summer when it’s 35 Celsius outside, or when it’s raining, the pickleball players will have an opportunity to get inside and get out of the rain."

Pickleball is a popular sport in the Okanagan. A new centre recently opened in Vernon, Tyre said.

“As things get busier we’ll open it up to longer hours,” he said.

Residents can book courts online here.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Carli Berry or call 250-864-7494 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.