‘Unbearable’ noise of outdoor pickleball forces Ontario city to slash courts, install noise panels [Video]

The relatively slow pace of pickleball has made it both an attractive pastime for seniors and also Canada’s fastest-growing sport.

But is it also one of the most annoying?

Neighbours of Pickering’s only outdoor pickleball courts at Shadybrook Park on the city’s west side think so and have petitioned the city to put a stop to the “unbearable” constant crack of the pickleball in their residential community.

“I am dreading May 1 when the pickleball courts open,” said Stephanie Burns, who lives 28 metres from the four outdoor courts, at Monday’s council meeting.

John Jansen, whose property backs on the park, agreed, calling the decision to put the courts in a residential neighbourhood a “pickleball fiasco.”

“The noise from the pickleball is simply unbearable.”

New courts are scheduled to open this summer at Diana, Princess of Wales Park on Pickering Parkway but Pickering city staff recommended to council the agreement with the Pickering Pickleball club be revised early to reduce the number of courts from four to …