Pickleball serves up new era in Masham as La Pêche turns 50

Tashi Farmilo

Pickleball has officially arrived at the Complexe Sportif La Pêche in Sainte-Cécile-de-Masham, bringing one of North America’s fastest-growing sports to the local community in time for the 50th anniversary of the municipality of La Pêche.

The arrival of pickleball is thanks to the determined efforts of Dan Labelle, who, two decades after officiating the first hockey game at the Masham arena, has returned to help reimagine the space for this increasingly popular sport. Working in collaboration with James Yantha of the Centre de curling des Collines de Chelsea and Jean-Pierre de Beaumont, founder of the Académie de Pickleball, Labelle helped coordinate the marking of six official courts inside the arena—a first for Masham.

Pickleball, a hybrid of tennis, badminton, and table tennis, is played on a smaller court with paddles and a perforated plastic ball. Its rapid growth in popularity, especially among older adults, has been driven in part by Québec “snowbirds” who discovered the game while wintering in the southern United States. Its appeal lies in its ease of entry, low-impact pace, and social nature.

Residents are now invited to take part in an introductory event on June 22 at 10 am at the arena (20 chemin Raphaël, Sainte-Cécile-de-Masham). All equipment will be provided free of charge, and no experience is necessary. To reserve a place, text 613-794-4414 with the number of participants, each person’s name, and preferred session.

Jean-Pierre de Beaumont, whose Académie de Pickleball promotes accessible and inclusive training across Quebec, will be on hand to guide new players through the basics. The event is open to all ages and is part of a wider effort to promote healthy, active lifestyles in the community.

As Labelle puts it, “Pickleball is the perfect sport-game for aging in action and in health.”