HDB hardcourts limit operating hours to curb noise from pickleball, players empathise but call for better solutions

Following feedback regarding the noise, more community hardcourts are seeing restrictions on people playing pickleball.

Numerous courts across Singapore have seen their operating timings updated, including those in the East and Ang Mo Kio.

In the latest court restrictions, Ang Mo Kio Town Council announced on Facebook that they have received feedback about "prolonged noise and court congestion", especially with players playing past 9pm.

As such, certain hardcourts have their operating hours limited to 9am to 9pm daily.

Outside the operating hours, gates to the courts will be locked.

"This adjustment has been made to minimise noise disturbances and ensure that the games do not disturb residents who are resting."

Not the only court

The hardcourts at Ang Mo Kio are not the only courts with restrictions placed on them.

Mountbatten Member of Parliament Gho Sze Kee shared that the hardcourts near Block 14 Kampong Arang Road have adjusted their playing hours from 9:30am to 10pm.

She shared that there has been feedback about the noise, especially from residents living on higher floors, as the sound of the game travels up and gets amplified.

Gho added that on weekend mornings, some residents get woken up early by the noise, and it is "not exactly relaxing".

After discussion with the Marine Parade town council, Gho announced that the playing hours have been restricted to "no earlier than 9:30am and end by 10pm".

Gho went on to explain that community is about "balancing everyone's needs."

"It's about kampung spirit. Looking out for one another and making space for both play and peace."

She also advised players to use quieter equipment and to keep shouting and cheering to a minimum.

In Marine Parade, residents are required to make a booking of the multi-purpose court at Block 47 Marine Crescent.

In a picture shared with Mothership, the Marine Parade Town Council outlined that residents would have to head down to the Marine Parade Town Council office in person to book the court.

The court is open every day from 8:30am to 8:30pm, and is only open to Marine Parade residents.

Each person can only book one two-hour slot, and it is on a first-come, first-served basis.

Sessions range from S$5 to S$10 per two-hour session, depending on the time.

In response to Mothership's queries, an East Coast Town Council spokesperson explained that the decision to restrict pickleball play in specific common areas was not made lightly.

The spokesperson added that the decision was based on repeated feedback from residents living nearby on "significant noise disturbances and disruptions to their rest", particularly during early mornings and late evenings.

"Our Town Council prioritises balancing the diverse needs of our residents... While some activities may generate manageable levels of noise, the unique sounds associated with pickleball — such as frequent paddle strikes and vocal communication — can be particularly disruptive in residential areas with close proximity."

"We understand the growing popularity of pickleball and will continue to refine our approach to ensure inclusivity while minimising the impact on those living nearby," the spokesperson said.

A new life

Even with these restrictions, pickleball has given a new lease of life to older Singaporeans, and it comes with many benefits.

Speaking to Mothership, 56-year-old SC shared that pickleball has been a life changer for her.

After she hung up her hockey stick 15 years ago, she was not very active and only kept fit by going to the gym, cycling, running or walking.

However, pickleball has given her more than just another sport to keep active.

"Pickleball has not only given me a second lease of life in sports, it has helped me regain my sporting/competitive spirit, play with family, reconnect with hockey friends who play pickleball and also made new friends."

Another player, SB, shared that when she stopped playing competitive sports for about 20 years, she did not expect to find a sport that brought out her competitive side and has kept her occupied in her retirement.

"Everytime I talked about pickleball, my friends can hear my voice getting more and more excited," she added.

For one Mothership reader, it was a whole new world for him and his wife when they picked up pickleball, and they now always eagerly look forward to their next game.

As both of them are in their silver years, pickleball has become a huge influence, and they are having the best time of their lives.

"As a bonus we managed to expand our group of friends with every game passing. And that to us is the best thing ever. Yes, friends are as important as the game itself."

When asked about the restriction of play for pickleball players at HDB courts, he noted that pickleball has risen at such a fast pace that those public courts were not meant for the noise and sounds the sport brings.

"Folks need to be at peace in their homes. I feel more for them than the pickleball players unable to find public courts," he added.

However, to another Mothership reader, she notes that the restrictions on pickleball do not feel quite the same as compared to other restrictions placed on those who play ball in void decks.

This is because pickleball is currently being played in "legit spaces", but she did empathise with the noise generated, though she noted other sources of noise in the area and suggests perhaps not ending the search for solutions with just restrictions.

She added that restrictions only address the needs of one party and often push the problem somewhere else. She also advised against suggesting ActiveSG courts as an alternative, as they are not easy to book.

"It will take a whole village to resolve this and it will involve giving and taking."

Top photos via Gho Sze Kee/Facebook & Daniel Seow/Mothership