Al Gabert, games chair for the SSFA’s 2024 Games hands Incoming Secretary Eric Johnson and President Carlo Hansen of the Battlefords Pickleball Club a cheque for $6,000. (Julia Lovett-Squires/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Julia Lovett-Squires

Pickleball funding

Battlefords Pickleball Club gets injection of funds for upgrades and training

Apr 30, 2025 | 3:09 PM

A sport that is gaining in popularity worldwide is serving up some fun and comradery in the Battlefords.

Earlier this week, the Saskatchewan Senior Fitness Association (SSFA) awarded the Battlefords Pickleball Club with $6,000 in a cheque presentation Tuesday.

“It’s great to get the funding, we’re a relatively small club with fairly modest finances so, a cash injection like this is really going to help us expand our programming,” said Eric Johnson, Battlefords Pickleball Club incoming secretary.

“We really plan to use the money to try to attract new players and new members.”

According to Al Gabert, games chair for the SSFA’s 2024 Games that were held last year in the Battlefords, there was a surplus of funding after the games, so part of the money was distributed into the community.

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“To decide where the money would be spent, the committee met and took proposals from different groups that also included lawn bowling ($800), curling club ($8,000) and the Rivers West District of the SSFA ($5,000),” he said.

“It’s basically provided to the community for senior events.”

Johnson said the pickleball community is growing in the Battlefords and although it isn’t set in stone, they hope to use the funds for training programs, lessons, and developmental programming.

“When you start, you want to play with people that are kind of at your level and improve your skills,” he said.

“We will focus on seniors because the money comes from seniors but certainly, we’re not going to limit it anybody that wants to play pickleball.”

Other items they are looking to put the funds toward include upgrades to equipment such as nets, racquets along with tournaments.

“That funding will go a long way,” he said.

According to Gabert there’s a variety of seniors’ clubs in the community which he called “fantastic.”

“Anything to get seniors active and healthy,” he said.

Of pickleball’s success, Gabert said the game, which is similar to tennis, but lower impact is a social experience.

“On the average, most of us is just, you do it for participation,” he said.

“It’s something to get out and be active and it’s fun.”

Johnson agreed. The club has roughly 150 members that come from all skill levels.

“The people you meet and the comradery that you develop is really great,” he said.

“It’s a great way to maintain your fitness in a fun way that’s not tiring or boring.”

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julia.lovettsquires@pattisnmedia.com

On BlueSky: juleslovett.bsky.social