By David Wiwchar

Port Alberni Pickleballers to pay for improvements

May 13, 2025 | 9:10 AM

People passionate about pickleball have asked city council to increase the number of courts in town, and they’re prepared to pay for the improvements.

The proposal would turn the five tennis courts at Gyro Park into 6 pickleball and 3 tennis courts, paid for by the PA Picklers pickleball club.

President Sam Dumont says hundreds of people in the Alberni Valley are now playing the game and pitching in.

“Probably close to 500 people play pickleball locally,” she said. “Last year our club at this time had 69 members and by the end of the year we had 123, and we haven’t even started our beginner series because that’s when we usually pick up more members as they get involved and get hooked.”

Dumont estimates the cost of repainting lines and making the courts multi-use will cost around $150,000 with the money coming from local fundraising and hopefully BC Gaming grants.

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