Okanagan Wealth Advisor’s Pickleball Complex at Marshall Fields in Vernon (Photo credit: Vernon Pickleball Association)

By Pete McIntyre

'amazing' support

Vernon named best pickleball club in Canada

Oct 19, 2023 | 11:00 AM

Vernon is fast becoming known as the pickleball capital of Canada.

Although that’s an unofficial title, the Vernon Pickleball Association (VPA), which has 1,100 members, has received another accolade by being named “Canada’s best pickleball club of 2023.”

The Canadian online platform, Pickleball Today, announced the winner Thursday, saying more than 140 clubs were nominated from coast to coast.

The nominees were then asked to submit articles about their club which were published on the site, with the list narrowed down to the top 10.

The final process allowed anyone in Canada to vote online for the top club over a one month period, leading to Vernon coming out on top.

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“You folks have created a club that could be a template for all of us to follow. Your achievements, enthusiasm, tournament hosting, fund raising, and local community relations are quite amazing,” Pickleball Today stated.

You can read about the Vernon Pickleball Association here.

Anne Longley, spokesperson for the VPA, said the Okanagan Wealth Advisor’s (OWA) Pickleball Complex at Marshall Fields has become a year-round destination for pickleball players across B.C. and the envy of many communities.

“The VPA has hosted four tournaments this year including the inaugural B.C. Provincials with 650 competitors. Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in North America, and having a year-round dedicated facility in Vernon has become a draw for both tourism and new residents,” Longley told Vernon Matters earlier.

The 12 pickelball courts at Marshall Fields opened in 2018 after fundraising by club members and a $300,000 grant from the Regional District of North Okanagan .

A roof was added to the facility in 2021 with members contributing over $1 million of the cost.