Pickleball Jamboree × Fairgrounds Launch Capilano Residency
Vancouver, BC — April 7, 2026
Fairgrounds, the new model for public racket clubs, and Pickleball Jamboree, a leader in cultural innovation within pickleball, today announced a residency at Fairgrounds Capilano — the vibrant new home for North Shore pickleball.
The public racket club experience now lives where a Sears department store once stood, marking the start of what promises to be a landmark long-term partnership.
“Jamboree blends high-level coaching with a deliberately designed community framework,” said Javier Regalado, President of the Global Pickleball Federation. “They are not merely events or camps; they represent a movement in the sport — one that prioritizes identity and long-term development. As the game matures internationally, this kind of structure will be essential to shaping its future.”
The residency introduces two recurring formats: early-morning practice sessions and a Saturday Night Jamboree. Together, they establish a consistent training rhythm while preserving the experimental, story-driven nature that has defined Jamboree events across Vancouver.
Jamboree began as a series of gatherings in spaces never designed for pickleball — curling rinks, churches, community centre gyms, and chalk-lined parking lots — where competition, storytelling, and shared ritual were treated as equally important parts of the experience. It has since grown into a community of hundreds of players across Metro Vancouver, with signature events like Baja Jamboree and Vancouver’s Wood Paddle Open, along with a growing ecosystem of cultural artefacts, including collectible merit badges and esoteric field kits.
The Fairgrounds residency marks the first time the format will operate with a consistent home.
“Jamboree has always been about building culture inside unlikely spaces,” said Mariko Wakefield, Director of Practice Culture for Jamboree & El Camino Camps. “The first time I played, there was no way to prepare except to lean in and go with it. It wasn’t about rankings or ratings — it was about the people, the environment, and the energy of the space. Every Jamboree feels different, and that’s the point. As we approach Fairgrounds Capilano, I find myself wondering where the appliances were when this was a Sears, or where I could get my watch fixed. Now it’s a place built around the joy, noise, and inclusive nature of Jamboree — the sound of the game carries as you wander through the building.”
The choice of Fairgrounds was very deliberate.
“Over the past couple of years, we’ve received a lot of interest in bringing Jamboree to other facilities — none of those opportunities felt quite right,” said Chris Koentges, Jamboree Founder. Koentges, a longform journalist who has chronicled global sports subculture for outlets including The Atlantic Magazine, ESPN, and CBC, sees the Capilano residency as a prototype for how Jamboree can evolve across other regions over time.
“From the first conversations with Carr, Sam, Vanessa, Kelly, and the national Fairgrounds team, it was clear this was different. They understood immediately how Jamboree can grow without losing its character. Fairgrounds has a fundamentally different approach to pickleball culture than anyone else we’ve talked to in North America.”
“Jamboree approaches pickleball from a cultural and storytelling perspective, not just a playing one,” said Carr Norton, Head of Programming at Fairgrounds. “It brings a distinct energy into the space — highly engaged, creative, and community-driven. We’re excited to see how this evolves into something much bigger with Fairgrounds.”
“Jamboree adds something creative and community-driven to what’s already being built here at Capilano,” said Sam Goode, Head Coach, Fairgrounds Capilano. “It gives players a different kind of experience than conventional leagues or open plays, and fits naturally into the energy of our space. Excited to be bringing this concept to North Shore.”
Early-morning sessions begin May 2, with the first Saturday Night Jamboree scheduled for May 19.
More information and registration details can be found at pbjamboree.com.
CONTACT: [email protected]