The Northumberland Tennis and Pickleball Association needed a new place to play. The Sunset Community assisted living facility in Pugwash had plenty of land that wasn’t being used.

Mark Scott, the local Community Courts in Action chair, called Kelly Trenholm, the lifestyles and volunteer services team leader at Sunset Community, in 2021 and a partnership was quickly formed.

“It seemed like a great idea for our residents as well as our employees, to have something fun they could do in the area,” said Trenholm. “Within hours of that first call, I was working on the application to ACOA (the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency).”

Funding was obtained through all levels of government as well as private donors. Sport Nova Scotia, through its Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility Funding, was able to cover the cost of equipment for participants to use at the facility.

“We have instructional coaches come in every week and they have about eight to 10 people in their sessions,” said Trenholm. “And we have enough equipment so that everyone can participate.”

The $400,000 project was completed late last summer, but was officially opened in June. There are four courts designed for pickleball — which are roughly the same size as a badminton doubles court — and two for tennis.

Pickleball was invented in 1965, using table tennis paddles and a perforated plastic ball. The sport has grown in popularity in the U.S. and Canada, and many European and Asian countries have joined in.

“Everybody looks forward to it,” said Trenholm. “When I come in in the morning on Tuesdays, everyone’s got a big smile on their face. ‘Oh, we’re playing pickleball today.’”

“Our employees look forward to teaching it and our residents really enjoy going and watching games,” added Sunset Community executive director Julie Hoeg. “It’s been a big hit.”

The courts aren’t being modified for other uses at this time, Hoeg added, but she did note there is a pavilion area for spectators to watch, which could also be used for social events such as barbecues.

The courts are open to the public and reservations can be made through an online booking process. When it becomes too cold to play, the nets are taken down and stored indoors.

Trenholm said the courts held up well during their first taste of a Nova Scotia winter.

“There was a little bit of shifting, but that’s normal,” she said. “The builders did a really great job.”