Pickleball popularity grows in Fruitvale
By CBT
A new court means more opportunities to play
The sport of pickleball is gaining momentum across the Columbia Basin. Over the past five years, new courts have been built in communities such as Oasis, Montrose, Genelle and now, Fruitvale. With support from Columbia Basin Trust, these communities are expanding recreational opportunities to encourage healthy, active lifestyles—particularly for those facing barriers to participation.
At the heart of this growth is the Beaver Valley Family Park, a popular recreation site managed by the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary (RDKB). The park offers year-round activities, including camping, an 18-hole disc golf course, and now, brand new pickleball courts.
“The number of people using Beaver Valley Family Park has skyrocketed in recent years,” says Mark Daines, Manager of Facilities and Recreation with RDKB. “It’s fantastic to see the facilities being used every month of the year.”
The new pickleball court replaces an existing basketball court and was completed in about a month. Construction included ground preparation, a new asphalt pad, a sport-top coating, new posts, nets and fencing.
Pickleball has surged in popularity, attracting a wide range of players. While it appeals to those who once played tennis in the 1970s and 1980s, it also draws in younger generations.
“The game is quite simple to learn, affordable to play, and easy on the knees, making it ideal for older adults while still exciting for younger players,” says Daines.
This June, four additional pickleball courts will be added inside Beaver Valley Arena during the hockey offseason. This climate-controlled space will offer a welcome refuge from the summer heat, providing even more opportunities to play.
With these new developments, Fruitvale, RDKB and Columbia Basin Trust are working together to make recreation more accessible—one pickleball match at a time.
