Serves up! UCalgary alum builds community through pickleball

In Calgary, where long winters drive many people indoors, YYC Pickleball stands out as a top destination for one of the fastest-growing sports in the world. 

Founded by University of Calgary alum Ivy Chan, the multi-court facility provides a welcoming indoor space where people of all ages and backgrounds can stay active year-round. 

Pickleball, a blend of tennis, badminton and Ping-Pong, is played with paddles and a perforated ball, making it easy to learn, yet still fast-paced and competitive. 

For Chan, BSc (Eng)’01, MBA’10, creating YYC Pickleball was about more than just providing courts: it was about building community. 

Drawing on her engineering and business degrees and years in the energy sector, she leads the venture with purpose. 

“It’s really a sport that’s inclusive and accessible to all demographics,” says Chan. “That broad appeal was a major reason we wanted to start YYC Pickleball, but, really, it’s about creating a strong community, especially within Calgary.” 

A welcoming space 

Community is the heartbeat of YYC Pickleball. Located in northeast Calgary, the facility offers a friendly atmosphere where staff greet players by name. A variety of activities, including drop-in games, classes, clinics and organized play help everyone enjoy the game at their own level. 

“Everyone's welcome, regardless of if you’re a beginner or an advanced player,” says Chan. 

The inviting atmosphere was clear to Lisa Guderyan, BPE’89, from the moment she stepped inside.  “I book the courts with friends and come all the time, and the facility is just phenomenal,” she says. 

Guderyan has been playing pickleball for seven years and has made YYC Pickleball her go-to spot for the past year. 

“Everyone is welcoming, and it's been a really good experience,” she says. 

From play to community support 

Through charity events, partnerships and youth programs, YYC Pickleball goes beyond sport to foster meaningful connections throughout the city. Last year, it hosted a successful charity tournament to raise funds for the Red Cross to support recovery efforts after the Jasper wildfires. 

The organization also provides free lessons to youth through Sport Calgary’s All Sport One Day program, collaborates with local groups to promote wellness and coaching, and has donated pickleball paddles to the Flames Foundation. 

These efforts make the facility feel more like a community hub where connection and care go hand in hand with play. 

UCalgary’s lasting impact 

Chan credits much of her business approach to her time at UCalgary. 

Through her MBA, Chan took courses in strategy, accounting and organizational behaviour, which gave her the tools to manage growth, develop partnerships and lead with intention. Those skills continue to shape how she runs YYC Pickleball today.   

Her introduction to pickleball came through having a background in racket sports. She saw it as a fresh, fast-growing game with great potential in Calgary’s sports scene. 

Chan’s goal is to expand, not just with new locations, but with new opportunities for people across Calgary to feel connected. “My ambition for YYC Pickleball is to obviously have a very successful business ... but I think, more importantly, I want to be able to provide a place where everyone can come and play.”