The Vernon Pickleball Association hosts the Royal LePage Frostbite Classic Feb. 25. Pictured L to R: Richard Chambers, tournament director; Darcy Sochan, tournament sponsor; Brent Bolin, VPA board member. (Photo credit: Anne Longley/VPA)

By Pete McIntyre

pickleball

Players converge on Vernon for Frostbite Classic

Feb 22, 2023 | 1:35 PM

It’s going to be busy year for the Vernon Pickleball Association (VPA).

The group that has over 900 members, hosts the second annual Royal LePage Frostbite Classic Men’s Doubles tournament this Saturday (Feb. 25), the first of five tournaments at the National Bank Financial Okanagan Wealth Advisors Pickleball Complex (OWA) in Marshall Fields in 2023.

The OWA is the largest pickleball-only, year-round covered facility in Canada, and this early winter tournament is likely the first of the year anywhere in Canada. It will also be the site for the first ever Provincial Pickleball Championships in May.

The 2023 tournaments all have the same format: round robin with playoffs with participants ranging in skill level from 3.0 – to top caliber 5.0, and ranging in age from 13 to 80. It is anticipated 140 players will participate in each of the first three tournaments, whereas the provincial tournament will have up to 500 competitors from around the province.

“Spectators are welcome into the OWA complex to watch the tournament, however, seating is limited. Spectators may wish to bring folding chairs and warm clothing,” Leanne Nicholson from the VPA, said.

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Darcy Sochan, Personal Real Estate Corporation, of Royal LePage Downtown Realty Vernon, is sponsoring the Frostbite tournament.

“I feel that it is important to support things that you are passionate about and your community. The Vernon Pickleball Association has a community second to none, and with the ability to promote the game in the off season with their amazing OWA Pickleball Complex, it’s incredible to be a part of,” Sochan said.

Tournament director, Richard Chambers, said having a covered pickleball complex allows the VPA to put on tournaments when most other communities are not able to.

“We have intentionally scheduled our tournaments to be in non-prime time and anticipate drawing over 1,000 competitors to Vernon in the off or shoulder seasons,” Chambers stated.