Vancouver Tells Pickleballers to Play Quietly -- Or Else

Noise complaints are nothing new for pickleball.

We've covered many over the last couple of years. But this might be the first time we're covering a story about a city forcing pickleballers to play with specific noise-reducing equipment.

Delta, a city part of Greater Vancouver in British Columbia, Canada, has put pickleball players on notice.

In response to noise complaints, anyone using the Delta playing courts is required to use quieter paddles.

O Canada, why?

According to the report by the Delta Optimist, Delta began hearing complaints about the noise level caused by pickleball two years ago and decided they would wait to build any new courts and instead do some research first.

Fast forward to today, and after various reports and recommendations (such as building six courts instead of 10), the Delta Council agreed the only way to truly limit the noise would be to require players to use softer pickleball paddles.

The city has a $200,000 budget for noise-limiting measures, and more modifications to other existing pickleball courts are being planned.

Opinions are split

The British Columbia Recreation and Parks Association (BCRPA) even developed a Noise Planning Guideline for Outdoor Pickleball Courts (what a captivating read that must be), which the city of Delta plans to follow.

While Delta City Mayor George Harvie advocates for building more courts and expressed his dismay at the council's recommendations, the council's move means the Delta Pickleball Association will encourage pickleball players to make the switch.

A common thread in these noise complaints seems to be that cities, towns, and suburbs all elect to do their own research on how to handle the complaints. A lot of taxpayer dollars could be saved if they'd all work together – or just actually play pickleball and find out how great it is.

Perhaps future cities can learn from this town of Massachusetts, which seems to have figured out how to keep both sides happy.