A major new indoor pickleball facility is slated to open at Ruby Liu’s Tsawwassen Mills mall in Delta, B.C., next spring.

Construction commenced recently the project, named The Nest. It is being spearheaded by Steve Deakin, a five-time Canadian pickleball champion, who coaches the Las Vegas Owls of the professional Major League Pickleball circuit. Deakin has partnered on the project with Tsawwassen Mills and the Tsawwassen First Nation.

Tsawwassen Mills sits on TFN-owned lease land. Liu has become prominent in Canadian commercial real estate due to her attempt to acquire a total of 28 Hudson’s Bay Company Store leases in B.C., Alberta and Ontario.

She has already acquired the lease covering the former Bay store, along with two tied to malls that she owns in Victoria, B.C., and Nanaimo, B.C.

Spanning 98,000 square feet, the facility will feature 14 dedicated indoor pickleball courts, with the ability to expand to 28 courts for tournaments using flexible volleyball space. It will also include professional lighting, 10-metre ceilings, spectator seating and a retail outlet.

Deakin’s company, branded under his own name, will co-ordinate coaching clinics, leagues and events. And, he will co-ordinate player development and programming.

The venue will also contain eight volleyball courts and house the Seaside Volleyball Club, a community group.

Pictured: Steve Deakin competing at pickleball.

Photo: Steve Deakin Pickleball