Pickleball tournaments raise funds for mental health and hospital foundations in B.C

Pickleball tournaments in British Columbia have raised significant funds for community health initiatives. In Penticton, the Skaha Hills Pickleball for Mental Health event raised $16,700 for the Canadian Mental Health Association South Okanagan Similkameen. The funds are designated for programs including suicide prevention, anger management, mental health first aid, and meal programs for individuals living with mental illness.

In Burnaby, a tournament held at the Inclusive Place of Pickleball (IPOP) raised $4,120 for the Burnaby Hospital & Community Foundation. The event, which included participation from Mayor Mike Hurley, took place amid news that the B.C. government has resumed the $210 million redevelopment of the Burnaby Hospital, focusing on the emergency department and surgical unit expansion.