New pickleball court is about to open in the middle of a Toronto mall

Grab your paddles and lace up those running shoes, because Toronto is about to get a brand-new pickleball court, and it's located smack-dab in the centre of one of the city's most popular malls.

Last summer, it seemed like all the sporty-and-fun population of Toronto could talk about was Pickleball. 

The relatively low-barrier, low-impact and low-cost sport has taken the city, and the world at large, by storm, leading it to earn the distinction as the fastest-growing sport worldwide, adored by athletes and casual players of all ages, abilities and ilk.

When it comes to Toronto, the foundation of devoted pickleball clubs like The Jar and Fairgrounds only heightened the fever, making the sport more accessible for pickle-thusiasts the city over, and this summer is shaping up to be no different. 

If warm weather ever arrives to stay, that is.

In anticipation of prime pickleball season, though, there's already some news for avid players (and aspiring ones) to get excited about: The Well will soon be getting its very own pickleball court for the season.

A pop-up collaboration with local Pickleball business, Pickleplex, who operate two clubs in Ontario with another six on the way, the court is perfectly positioned for the residents, workers and visitors who frequent the complex to get in a quick match between Sweat and Tonic classes, meals at Wellington Market Food Hall or whatever else people do at The Well.

"Pickleball is exploding across North America and we wanted to create a place where people of all skill levels can come together and build community around the sport," Pickleplex co-founder and CEO Steven Fry tells blogTO.

While Pickleplex's brick-and-mortar locations do this by hosting clinics, leagues and coaching, at The Well, it's coming in the form of a single court plus a lounge where anyone waiting to play can relax before hitting the court.

If you're new to the game and don't own a personal paddle quite yet, not to fear; they're also offering paddle rentals so that anyone can get into the game.

The court at The Well allows visitors to try the sport. Photo by Pickleplex.

Steven tells blogTO that, with the weather changing, the court is not only the perfect way to introduce people to pickleball who've never played before, but to also show people in Toronto what Pickleplex is all about as their GTA expansion surges.

"Spring is in the air and people's minds are turning to spring and what their social and fitness calendars are going to look like for the season, I think it's the perfect timing for us to introduce Pickleplex to people at a time when we're opening locations all around the GTA," he says.

The court, which is positioned just outside the entrance to National on the ground floor of the complex, is set to officially open to the public on Monday, March 31, should the impending ice storm not get in the way.

Sigh, the joys of a Toronto spring.

Currently slated to occupy The Well until May 4, the court can be rented for $40 an hour with paddle rental at an additional $5.