Saint John will soon have its first dedicated indoor pickleball courts.

Cross Court Pickleball Limited plans to open a four-court facility at Loch Lomond Mall early next year.

The company operates locations in Dartmouth and Bedford, Nova Scotia, and recently opened another in British Columbia.

President Steve Skinner said Saint John has been on their radar for some time, with local players regularly travelling to Nova Scotia to play.

“We were the first to market in Halifax, and over the last three years we’ve built an amazing community,” Skinner said.

“We have 1,500 members in Nova Scotia, and they treat the place like it’s their own. It’s very community-focused, and we’re looking forward to building that same kind of outlet in Saint John.”

The courts will feature a textured hard surface designed to mimic outdoor play.

Skinner said this improves ball control and avoids confusion caused by overlapping lines in shared gym spaces.

“Most pickleball in Saint John is played in community centres with mixed flooring,” he said.

“Our courts are built with a surface that grabs the ball better and improves play.”

Skinner said the facility will operate with minimal on-site staffing. Members will register online and receive access through a code or key fob. Coaches and cleaning staff will be present only when needed.

“This model helps us keep costs low and makes it more affordable for players,” Skinner said.

Annual membership will cost $27, with court rentals averaging about $5 per person per hour for doubles play.

Pre-registration is expected to begin in November. A private Facebook group for the Saint John location has already drawn more than 200 members.

Skinner said a dedicated webpage will launch soon, and community surveys will help shape programming.