Journal Newsletter

Courtside at Leaside: November Edition

By Lucas Samuels November 3, 2026 7 min read

Club Championship winners, Euchre Nights & meet Jordyn

The November edition of Courtside at Leaside has landed! Read on to see what’s happening at Fairgrounds Leaside.

A Club Championships to remember: Our 2026 Pickleball Club Championships brought together 103 players, 135 tournament entries, 30 medals, $1,400 in Fairgrounds credits and 12 beautiful pots of mums. Congratulations to our champions and finalists below and watch the recap video here:

Open Singles: Bryan (champion), Rob (finalist)
Women’s B Doubles: Andrea & Laura (champions), Jen & Niamh (finalists)
Women’s C Doubles: Claude (champion), Karalee & Holly (finalists)
Men’s A Doubles: Bryan & Chris (champions), Olek & Ignacio (finalists)
Men’s B Doubles: Jake & Justin (champions), Karthik & Phantom (finalists)
Mixed A Doubles: Rob & Jen (champions), Aidas & Laura (finalists)
Mixed C Doubles: Cindy & Justin (champions), Steve & Bonnie (finalists)

A huge thank-you to our players, volunteers, staff and everyone who cheered from the sidelines.

Fall League Finals, November 23–30: Over 100 players across five leagues are heading into championship week. Who will claim the bragging rights? Best of luck to everyone competing.

Holiday Ugly Sweater Mixed Doubles, December 8: Serve up some holiday cheer at our Ugly Sweater Mixed Doubles Tournament, with proceeds supporting the Daily Bread Food Bank. Expect great pickleball, outrageous sweaters, plenty of laughs and a chance to give back to our community. Registration details are coming soon!

More Open Plays, more coaches: We’ve added more Open Plays to the schedule, so there are even more chances to get on court and meet new players. And something new: Fairgrounds coaches are joining select Open Plays. Play alongside our pros, pick up a few tips and maybe learn a new shot or two.

Fall for 40% off padel: Outdoor padel has been buzzing thanks to our Fall 40% off promotion. Make the most of the last outdoor weeks:

Outdoor Padel Open Plays: 90 minutes for just $18 per person.
Outdoor court bookings: $90 for 90 minutes during promotional hours.
King & Queen of the Court: competitive play with prizes, at 40% off the regular entry fee.

Check PodPlay for remaining outdoor availability as the season comes to a close.

Our first WPR Padel Tournament, a huge success: Fairgrounds Leaside welcomed 44 teams for a fantastic weekend of competition. The energy and quality of play were outstanding. Congratulations to all our competitors and champions. Check out the photos here.

WPR ratings are now in PodPlay: Track your progress and find great competition, with WPR ratings built right into PodPlay. Our new WPR Rating Improvement Round Robins give you more level-appropriate matches as you work on your rating.

Injured or playing through pain? well@work’s sports therapy team is right here at Leaside. Get fast answers, a plan and quick imaging from specialists who know racquet sports.

Book your holiday party at Fairgrounds: Prime November and December dates are filling fast. Our Events Team handles everything, from game formats and scheduling to food, drinks and on-site support, so all you do is pick the date!

We’re excited to welcome Ryan, our newest Experience Coordinator, to Fairgrounds Leaside. Ryan will be helping make sure every visit to the club is a great one, so be sure to introduce yourself and give him a warm Fairgrounds welcome next time you’re in.

Making your Leaside experience even better: We’re continuing to invest in comfort, convenience and the best possible playing experience.

Court 5: we’ve added an opening in the fencing to make retrieving stray balls easier.
Sauna upgrades: enhanced privacy, so you can relax and unwind in more comfort after your game.

New sauna pricing: Fairgrounds members now enjoy the sauna for free, and non-members pay just $10. Whether you’re recovering after a competitive match or unwinding after a clinic, it’s a great way to finish your visit. Play hard, relax, recharge, repeat. Book the sauna.

Fairgrounds Social Club is coming soon, and it’s going to be a good time. Think of it as the league where fun matters more than the scoreboard. Never picked up a paddle? No problem. You’ll learn the game, meet new people, and have a great time doing it. Stay tuned for more details.

Leaside Euchre Nights are officially a hit: Our first Euchre Night was a full house, with 20 players and even a waitlist. Congratulations to our first-night winners:

1st place: Firth, with 67 points (still under review by Deloitte!)
2nd place: Claude, with 57 points
Mystery Score winner: Aaron
Most Lone Hands: Michelle S. (also under review!)

The feedback was so good that Euchre Nights are now a regular part of the Leaside social calendar. Bring your friends, family and fellow card sharks:

PA Day Pickleball Camp: No school? No problem. Kids can spend their PA Days on the courts at Fairgrounds Leaside, 9am to 3pm, with drills, games, match play, crafts and plenty of new friends. No experience needed, all skill levels are welcome and we provide the equipment.

All 4 PA Days for $355: November 20, January 15, February 12 and June 4. Register for all 4 days
Or pick your days for $99 each: Nov 20, Jan 15, Feb 12, June 4

Registering more than one child? You’ll get 10% off.

Giving back to our Leaside community: We’re exploring ways to bring members together while supporting local charities. Giving back and building stronger community connections are a big part of what we want Fairgrounds Leaside to be. More details on upcoming community initiatives soon.

New looks, fresh gear, great savings: There’s lots to check out at the Pro Shop this month.

New Nike apparel: fresh styles for playing, training or just looking sharp.
New Wilson apparel: even more options for looking and feeling your best on and off the court.
New Fairgrounds merch: show your Fairgrounds pride wherever you go.

Still 50% off Fairgrounds paddles & padel racquets: Yes, really. Thinking about a new paddle, looking for a backup or shopping for the holidays? Now is the perfect time to pick up great gear at half price. Stop by the Pro Shop and see what’s new.

At just seven years old, Jordyn is already a familiar face at Fairgrounds, and quite possibly our youngest unofficial employee. With her big smile, bouncy curls and boundless enthusiasm, she’s always ready to jump into the action.

At our recent Club Championships, Jordyn volunteered at the information desk, collected scores, handed out balls and presented our winners with medals and flowers on the podium. Her enthusiasm earned her the title of Honorary Fairgrounds Staff Member, along with her very first staff shirt.

Her pickleball journey began last year with our Kids Rise & Play workshops, and she was instantly hooked. Summer camps followed, with new friendships, plenty of fun thanks to Julia’s fantastic programming and even a chance to try padel outdoors. Her highlights? Working on her shots with the ball machine, learning card games at camp and handing out those championship medals.

You’ll often spot Jordyn helping at the front desk, directing players to their courts during Open Play or cheering on her mom during league games. For Jordyn, Fairgrounds is a home away from home, and if you can’t find her on the court, just look for the bouncing curls behind the front desk. Thank you, Jordyn, for bringing so much joy to Fairgrounds Leaside!