Mimi (right) is always smiling on the courts | Mik Horvath/MBC
Pickleball is an increasingly popular sport in Canada.
According to Pickleball Canada, recognized by the Global Pickleball Federation, reported in 2025 that the sport has seen a 57 per cent increase in participation over a three-year period.
Oldies reporters spectated some pickleball matches inside Renfrew’s myFM Centre where the sport is played during inclement weather.
Mimi, an Ottawa Valley resident, moved to the area 10 years ago and has been playing pickleball ever since.
Mimi and her husband first played pickleball in Braeside when the locals were trialing the sport to see if it would be popular.
It has grown ever since, so much so, that Mimi and her husband started a pickleball “clinic” to get more people into the sport of pickleball.
The clinic is hosted at the myFM Centre each week and Mimi contributes its success partly to the accessibility of the sport.
There is a score to keep track of, however, Mimi said the myFM Centre promotes a friendly sporting environment which is reflected in pickleball’s popularity as of late.
Pickleball is also easy to set-up year-round.
During the winter, pickleball courts are set-up on the preexisting basketball courts to provide a safe, yet high quality playing space.
Pickleball is comparable to tennis, but Mimi said pickleball is also successful because of its low barrier to entry.
Pickleball Canada also cites in its report that the sport is on a steady incline in popularity, stating 88 per cent of survey respondents play pickleball because it’s simply fun.
(Written by Mik Horvath)