The Inclusive Place Of Pickleball (IPOP) will open its first facility at Burnaby’s City of Lougheed development in December, the company announced.

The new 36,000 facility is part of a growing North American trend whereby pickleball companies team up with commercial real estate investors, developers and landlords to attract more customers to their locations.

Pickleball is a popular emerging leisure sport that caters to players of all ages, incorporating some rules, and aspects, of ping pong and tennis. The game is played on a tennis-like, albeit smaller court. Players use octagonal paddles that have almost identical features to their ping pong counterparts but are slightly larger.

Similar to a whiffle ball, a pickleball makes a popping sound when it hit.

The Burnaby location will feature 10 indoor courts. The facility is designed to allow games to be played during inclement weather, accommodate the Lower Mainland’s rising demand for pickleball and prevent long wait times for available courts.

“We’re excited to create an inclusive space where everyone—from first-timers to seasoned pros—can experience pickleball’s physical, mental, and social benefits,” said Chris White, CEO and chief paddle officer of IPOP. “This facility is a game-changer for the community, welcoming all to experience the joy of pickleball.”

IPOP is leasing the facility from Shape Properties, which is developing the City of Lougheed, a $7-billion, 37-acre master-planned community situated near three SkyTrain stations.

The project is slated to contain 20 towers, new shops and restaurants, and more than five acres of parks. The completed first neighbourhood includes four multi-residential towers containing 1,500 homes, a 22,000-sf amenity facility, and a retail component anchored by PriceSmart Foods. 

IPOP’s Burnaby site is part of a broader expansion effort. The company also plans to open new facilities in Surrey, B.C., Victoria, B.C., Nanaimo, B.C., Montreal and Anchorage, Alaska.

“Our goal is to bring inclusive pickleball to the masses and secure access for future generations,” said White.

With a proudly Canadian foundation, IPOP’s growth strategy reflects a commitment to community-focused partnerships, said the company. After assessing U.S. franchise models, IPOP chose to prioritize partnerships with local players, opting for models such as DBFOM (Design, Build, Finance, Operate, Maintain) to keep franchise costs lower.

“Rather than incurring high franchise royalties (as high as 10%-18%), we prioritize partnerships with individuals, associations, and municipalities,” said White.

IPOP was founded by White, along with Praveen Varshney of Varshney Capital and Haneef Esmail of Bristol Management Properties. The organization continues to seek partnerships with real estate owners and investors to further expand access to pickleball across Canada and the U.S.

Pictured: Shape Properties’ City of Lougheed development project in Burnaby, B.C.

Image: IPOP