SURREY Mayor Doug McCallum and members of City Council on Thursday celebrated the opening of 12 new purpose-built pickleball courts at South Surrey Athletic Park. Surrey now has over 72 outdoor pickleball courts, 20 of which are purpose-built, located throughout the city.

“City Council is committed to investing in high quality sporting infrastructure, and the new pickleball courts are another example of how we are responding to the recreation needs of our residents,” said McCallum. “This project is one of more than 20 major parks, recreation and culture capital projects planned for the next five years, under our Surrey Invests program. The investments we are making will keep our communities active, healthy and connected.”

Pickleball is a fun sport that combines many elements of tennis, badminton and table tennis. It is played both indoors or outdoors on a badminton-sized court and a slightly modified tennis net. Played with a paddle and a plastic ball with holes, pickleball can be played as doubles or singles and can be enjoyed by all ages and skill levels.

“Pickleball continues to be one of the fastest growing sports in North America,” said Councillor Laurie Guerra, Chair of the Parks, Recreation and Culture Committee. “The opening of these 12 new purpose-built pickleball courts demonstrates the City’s commitment to provide high quality outdoor amenities for existing sports and emerging trends, like pickleball, so that every Surrey resident has an opportunity to take advantage enjoy outdoor recreation close to home.”

For more information go to surrey.ca/parks or see www.surrey.ca/about-surrey/capital-projects to learn more about the other major capital investments approved by City Council as part of the Five-Year Financial Plan.