Canmore Launches Plan to Address Night-Time Pickleball Noise

Canmore council has approved a three-part strategy to address growing conflicts between one of the community's fastest-growing sports and nearby residents, approving voluntary evening pickleball restrictions at Veterans Park, directing administration to study noise mitigation measures and begin planning for dedicated pickleball infrastructure.

After weeks of public debate that generated more than 150 emails and packed council chambers, council voted June 30 to ask players to voluntarily stop playing pickleball at Veterans Park after 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday and after 7 p.m. Friday through Sunday.

The pilot project, which took effect immediately, also includes new signage encouraging players to follow the Bow Valley Pickleball Association's Good Neighbour Guidelines and directs administration to report back to council this winter on whether the measures reduce complaints. The amended motion passed 5-2, with councillors Wade Graham and Jeff Hilstad opposed.

Council also unanimously directed administration to investigate physical sound mitigation measures for Veterans Park ahead of November budget deliberations and begin planning for dedicated pickleball infrastructure, with recommendations due by March 31, 2027.

Mayor Sean Krausert, who introduced the motions, said the goal was not to resolve the issue in a single meeting but to begin finding a solution that balances the interests of nearby residents and pickleball players.

"This is about starting a process that we can move to what I believe can be a win-win-win scenario," he said.

The issue has emerged alongside the rapid growth of pickleball in Canmore. The Bow Valley Pickleball Association has grown to more than 300 members in three years, while the Canmore Seniors Association reports more than 200 active pickleball participants. In its written submission to council, the Bow Valley Pickleball Association describes the sport as "more than a sport," calling it "a next-generation civic asset for connection, health, and community life" that supports active living, healthy aging, inclusion and efficient use of public space.

At the same time, residents living near Veterans Park have complained the distinctive sound of pickleball paddles and players' voices prevents them from opening windows or enjoying their decks during summer evenings.

Krausert said the conflict stems not from inconsiderate players but from the sport's rapid growth on courts originally designed for tennis and built close to residential neighbourhoods.

A technical noise assessment attached to the agenda found pickleball's sharp paddle strikes and players' voices can make the sport more noticeable than other recreational activities at similar sound levels. The report recommends keeping noise below 50 decibels at nearby residential property lines and concludes increasing the distance between courts and homes is the most effective long-term solution, prompting council to also explore dedicated pickleball infrastructure.

Bow Valley Pickleball Association president Therese Rogers said the organization supports council's approach and believes it provides "a really workable solution in the short term" while preserving opportunities for members to play.

A few weeks into the pilot, Rogers said the association has fully complied with the voluntary hours during its organized programming, which accounts for roughly 30 hours of weekly court bookings at Veterans Park. While she could not speak for casual users, she said she has not personally observed people playing beyond the voluntary cutoff times.

"We're hopeful that there will be good compliance," she said.

Council ultimately voted 4-3 to limit the pilot project to Veterans Park after Coun. Jeff Mah argued complaints had been concentrated there.

"I feel the one court that we're having some challenges from neighbors is specifically just the Veterans Park court," Mah said.

Mayor Sean Krausert and councillors Tanya Foubert and Jennifer Marran opposed the amendment, with Krausert arguing he had originally proposed applying the voluntary curfew to all Town-owned outdoor pickleball courts to avoid simply moving the problem elsewhere.

Council also rejected a proposal from Jeff Hilstad to broaden the voluntary restrictions to all sports rather than only pickleball.

"I think for the neighborhood, it might just be better to just say all sports on that particular court," Hilstad said.

Coun. Wade Graham opposed the final voluntary curfew, saying he was concerned the voluntary approach could create additional conflict even though he supported finding a long-term solution.

"I'm concerned about the voluntary nature of that and it creating more conflict than we currently have," he said.

Council later unanimously approved Graham's motion directing administration to work with the Bow Valley Pickleball Association, the Canmore Tennis Association and other interest holders to identify short-, medium- and long-term infrastructure options for pickleball. The motion calls for recommendations that support increasing participation while balancing neighbourhood concerns, recreational needs and future growth.

Several councillors described the long-term planning process as the most significant outcome of the evening.

"A growing sport like this deserves a home," Murray said. "I'm really looking forward to seeing what these conversations produce."

Rogers said the association envisions a permanent pickleball facility with enough courts to accommodate growing demand while being located far enough from homes to avoid repeating the current conflict. Although discussions with the town have not yet begun, she said the association expects to pursue grants and fundraising to help finance the project alongside municipal investment. She said she hopes a permanent facility could be in place by 2028.