Sport Court Update – February 20, 2026
The Willow Ridge Community Association (WRCA) is excited to welcome back pickleball for the 2026 season. Pickleball is believed to be the most rapidly growing sport in Canada – if not the entire world – particularly for individuals over the aged of thirty-five. The sport aligns with the WCRA goal for building vibrant, positive, inclusive, and accessible spaces for communities to come together.
Balancing Community Needs
Like other communities with busy pickleball courts, our community has been working to reconcile the issue of noise versus the value that pickleball brings. Over the course of the last few months, WRCA brought together stakeholders from different groups, including residents, pickleball players, the City of Calgary, WRCA staff, board members, and community volunteers, to determine what we can do to find a better balance for the 2026 season. The objective of the working group was to find practical, balanced solutions that allow continued recreational use while meaningfully reducing unnecessary disruption where possible.
After receiving the committee’s report and extensive board discussion, the WRCA will be instituting court hour changes in addition to evaluating multiple sound reduction options.
- Testing quieter equipment and operating approaches
We will be examining the real-world effectiveness of quieter pickleball equipment (balls and paddles) in outdoor conditions to better understand:
- the degree of sound reduction that can be achieved, and
- the impact on quality of play and user experience.
Early in the season, we expect to conduct on-court testing and limited trials. Depending on results, this may include exploring specific days or time periods when quieter equipment is required to be used on the courts. Any such measures will be guided by evidence from testing and practical experience and will be reviewed as the season progresses.
2. Evaluating sound-mitigation panel solutions
WRCA is also investigating physical sound-mitigation options such as acoustic panels or sound-dampening fencing systems.
Before committing community funds, the Board will:
- obtain additional technical information and cost estimates, and
- visit other facilities that have implemented these solutions to observe their effectiveness at close range and at varying distances.
If this approach is shown to be effective and financially reasonable, the Board will consider a pilot installation as a first step.
We are also exploring whether designs incorporating artistic or community-based elements could improve funding opportunities through public-art or community-placemaking programs.
Court Hours
In addition to pursuing sound mitigation options, court hours for pickleball will be adjusted. For the 2026 season, courts will be closed to pickleball on Wednesdays and Sundays. During these days, the courts will still be available for tennis. These closures are part of the WRCA’s incremental approach to finding balanced solutions while we evaluate quiet equipment and sound dampening options.
What this means
- WRCA is committed to approaching this issue thoughtfully and in good faith.
- We are prepared to invest time, effort, and — where justified — funding to evaluate workable solutions.
- Decisions will be guided by evidence, practicality, and long-term sustainability for the community as a whole.
We appreciate the patience and constructive input of both pickleball players and nearby residents as this work continues. Further updates will be shared as testing progresses and more information becomes available.
Court Access & Bookings:
Like previous years, a WRCA community association membership along with a court membership will be required for full access to our outdoor facilities.
- Courts will be open daily from 9am to 9pm.
- WEDNESDAYS & SUNDAYS ARE FOR TENNIS ONLY – NO PICKLEBALL PERMITTED
Tennis Court 1 (West) and Pickleball Court 1 (North) will remain open to our court members on a first come, first serve basis.
- Drop-in play is FREE for court members
- Scheduled PB Club times are FREE for court members
- Drop-in play and scheduled PB Club play is $10/day for guests
- Guest fees can be paid the following ways:
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- Cash given directly to the PB Coordinator during PB Club times
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- Online at wrca.getcommunal.com
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- Cash dropped in the secure box inside the front gate during drop-in play times
- Guests must be accompanied by a WRCA Court Member
Tennis Court 2 (East) and Pickleball Court 2 (South) are available to book up to 14 days in advance.
- 1-hour bookings available to a maximum of 2hrs
- $15 per hour – Guest fees still apply during booked court times
- Courts open daily from 9:00am – 9:00pm
- Please bring your booking confirmation with you to show proof if required
Cancelation Policy: 48 hours notice required to reschedule court bookings. Refunds are at the discretion of WRCA.
If you have any questions, comments, or want to be part of further work to help our community association meet the needs of residents and members, please contact gm@mywillowridge.ca.
Thank you for supporting these changes and abiding by the posted schedules.
WRCA Board of Directors
