Pickleball's explosive growth across North America shows no signs of slowing down and indoor facilities are capitalizing on the surge. With courts often booked solid—sometimes 24/7—driving significant revenue for these venues, a growing number of these high-demand spaces are emerging in repurposed locations including former big-box retail outlets and warehouses converted into modern, vibrant pickleball hubs.
Here at Sport Systems, our custom padding department plays a key role in these transformations by delivering a variety of tailored padded safety solutions. We design and install custom wall pads, column pads, and other protective elements to safeguard players from impacts while preserving the fast-paced, enjoyable nature of the game.
One of our favorite ongoing partnerships is with Altea Ottawa, the flagship 129,000-square-foot premium fitness and wellness club in Ottawa's Westboro community. Housed in a brilliantly reimagined former Canadian Tire store, this all-in-one destination features nine boutique studios with over 350 weekly classes, state-of-the-art equipment, luxurious changerooms with steam rooms and saunas, a Kids Club, social spaces, a 25-meter lap pool (now open), and a dedicated 6-court indoor pickleball club complete with viewing areas and a pro shop.
Back in September, we shared details about the first phase of our work at this iconic gym, collaborating with trusted local contractor VCL to supply and install premium wall padding around the courts. This created a safe, high-performance environment for the facility's packed schedule, where courts run from early morning to late evening.
We were excited when Altea recently invited our team back to finish what we started with the safety upgrade. This second trip focused on custom column pads to protect against the structural supports in the playing area. Our padding experts conducted precise on-site measurements, engineered durable, fire-rated pads to seamlessly integrate with the facility's layout and premium aesthetic, and installed them efficiently.
The finished column pads look fantastic—clean, professional, and fully functional. They provide essential impact protection without obstructing sightlines or detracting from the modern, welcoming look and feel of the courts. Players can now rally with even greater confidence, knowing every potential contact point is cushioned for safety.
If your indoor pickleball venue, multi-sport facility, or repurposed space needs custom wall padding, column protection, or other tailored safety features, reach out to our team today.