Holland-Bukit Panjang Town Council bans pickleball at community hardcourt

A community hardcourt in the Holland-Bukit Panjang GRC has banned pickleball.

In a post shared on Facebook by Douglas Chow, a flyer from Holland-Bukit Panjang Town Council stated that the community badminton court is "strictly for badminton use only".

Chow noted that it was "bound to happen sooner or later".

Speaking to Mothership, the user shared that it is very hard to expect pickleball players to self-regulate, though one way would be to turn off the court lights at 8pm.

However, he noted that it would not be fair to the badminton players.

As a pickleball player himself, the user supports the ban, especially if it causes "too much distress to the residents".

In response to Mothership, Holland- Bukit Panjang Town Council shared that it had received feedback from residents on the noise disturbances caused by the sport within the estate.

"While we recognise the growing popularity of the sport, pickleball generates sharp repetitive sounds that can significantly affect nearby households, particularly in densely populated areas."

The town council added that pickleball requires proper markings, nets and buffer zones; playing in common areas not designed for the sport may pose safety risks to both players and other residents.

It also works with grassroots volunteers to allow players to play during designated timings under agreed guidelines, where possible.

"Our priority is to maintain a safe, restful, and harmonious environment for all.

Residents who wish to play pickleball are encouraged to use purpose-built courts managed by SportSG and ActiveSG, where facilities are designed to ensure safety and minimise disturbance to the community."

Other courts restricted

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

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.

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".

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.

Top photos via Douglas Chow/Facebook & Gho Sze Kee/Facebook (picture used for reference)