Abandoned space near Toronto subway station transformed into new sports complex

One of the great things about being a pickleball enthusiast in Toronto is that you can find a court practically anywhere: in the middle of a mall, an impromptu indoor lake, and now, even inside near a subway station.

This week, Pickleplex Social Club announced the opening of its newest and arguably most novel location, inside a formerly disused space next to the York Mills subway station. 

The facility transformed 7,000 square feet of previously vacant space located near the TTC station into three full-scale pickleball courts, with the process quietly unfolding behind the scenes within the busy transit hub in just six months.

Pickleplex CEO Steven Fry tells blogTO that the space remained unused for decades, describing it as "a pile of dirt" before the transformation.

Fry says the York Mills location came about because of Pickleplex's reputation for revitalizing underused spaces. Landlords began reaching out, eager to turn vacant or non-traditional retail areas into something vibrant and community-focused. This abandoned pocket next to a high-traffic subway station proved the perfect fit.

Fry refers to the rapidly growing sport as "little tennis" and "big ping pong," but regardless of what people are calling the game, few operators have established the kind of near-monopoly Pickleplex has achieved over the years since pickleball exploded in popularity. The company now operates nine locations across Ontario, plus one in Alberta, with plans to open six more in the province soon.

"There's just simply not enough court space indoors to meet community demand," Fry says. He adds that winter is actually the peak season for pickleball, making the timing of this new location particularly strategic.

Pickleplex attempts to make it easy for those who've never played before.

"There's little to no barrier to entry," says Alex Dorbyk, Director of Club Operations. "All you need are running shoes, a paddle, and a ball, and you can play."

Luckily, newcomers can take advantage of free introductory classes at the York Mills location. And while hourly court rentals typically range from $45 to $55, Pickleplex is waiving those fees, allowing players to book courts for free until February 8.

Another bonus: free parking for non-subway riders.

"Anybody who's coming into our space can also validate their parking [at York Mills Centre] with us and play some pickleball," says Dorbyk.

While walk-ins are welcome, it's best to book online or via the Pickleplex app to secure a spot.

Fry says the team will continue looking for unique opportunities to repurpose space and bring communities together.

"We're currently eyeing an abandoned arena that's closing down in Toronto," he reveals.