Cobourg opens Northumberland County's first dedicated indoor pickleball facility

Cobourg’s pickleball players no longer have to chase court time across the county or wait for good weather. The Dink Den opened on May 1 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, giving Northumberland County its first and only dedicated indoor pickleball facility at 156 Willmott St., Unit 2.

The opening landed after a soft-launch period that already drew hundreds of players, a sign that the club was filling demand instead of creating it. Locally owned and operated by Derek Munroe, Trish St. Jean, Sherry Munroe and Keith St. Jean, the business gives Cobourg a homegrown sports venue at a time when indoor access has become one of the sport’s biggest barriers in smaller markets.

The Dink Den is built for more than casual drop-ins. A tournament listing described it as a state-of-the-art facility with 8 spacious, fenced courts, professional nets and surfaces. A court directory added a central lounge, pro shop, ball machine rentals, exercise equipment and showers, details that point to a club designed to keep players on-site longer and bring more organized play under one roof.

That mattered immediately. The Northumberland Pickleball Classic, billed as the first event of its kind in Northumberland County, was scheduled for May 2 at the Dink Den to support Northumberland Hills Hospital’s breast program. The early tournament use underscored how quickly the venue moved beyond its grand opening and into countywide programming.

Munroe had tied the club’s creation to pickleball’s accessibility and said the space was meant to function as a social hub, not just a set of courts. Free learn-to-play sessions were also planned, which could help bring in beginners while still serving regulars looking for leagues, drop-in play and tournaments across skill levels.

The timing fits a wider surge. Pickleball Canada estimated early in 2025 that 1.54 million Canadians play annually. Its membership climbed from 85,223 at the end of 2024 to 93,888 in 2025, with Ontario leading all provinces at 23,820 members. A January 2025 survey found enjoyment and fun were the top reasons Canadians play, followed by health and fitness and the social aspect.

A 2024 SFIA and Pickleheads report said the sport still faced major court and facility demand, and Cobourg’s new club is a direct answer to that pressure. In Northumberland County, it means indoor court time is finally local, and the waiting list for year-round play just got a lot shorter.