Ranking the Community Centers I’ve Played Pickleball At (Featuring the un-Official GOM Index)

Pickleball Stories

Mar 15

After playing pickleball 3–4 times a week for the past year, I’ve become something of a community center connoisseur. I’ve played in gyms with dusty floors, gyms with heavy glare, gyms where there is no room to swing the paddle at the back line and gyms where the nets have seen better days.

And at every single one of these centers, I’ve met a rich cast of characters, including my personal favorite demographic: the GOMs.

If you’re new to the term, GOM stands for Grumpy Old Men; a necessary, hilarious, occasionally infuriating part of the pickleball ecosystem. They come in all flavors: The Wacker, The Rule Enforcer, The Call Debater, The “do as I say, not as I do” Coach, The “ I’m too good to play with you people” GOM.

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So yes… I decided to make a chart.

Here’s a rundown of the community centers I’ve played at; some comments on court condition, overall vibe, level of play, as well as their completely unofficial, wildly unscientific, highly entertaining “GOM index”.

(no GOMs were harmed in the making of this index)

TORONTO PICKLEBALL COMMUNITY CENTRE INDEX

Ratings are subjective, observational, and occasionally affected by how much coffee I’ve had before the game.

Scale:
1 = Poor
2 = Fair
3 = Good
4 = Very Good
5 = Excellent

GOM Index = Scale of 1-10 “Grumpy Old Men” present on a typical day (lighthearted + observational!)

Bob Abate Community Centre

Court Conditions Index: 4.5/5
Small gym, only one court, ample room to maneuver around court, a little dusty at times

Overall Vibe Index: 4.5/5
Friendly, upbeat, the regulars actually welcome new faces. My sentimental favorite place, this is where I started.

Level of Play Index: 3/5
Solid mix — not intimidating, not sleepy.

GOM Index:
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Practically Grump Free

Brown Community Centre

Court Conditions Index: 3.5/5
Three courts, white vinyl flooring, space at back line limited. Watch out for the middle court, people do not respect a play in progress.

Overall Vibe Index: 4/5
Waiting area faces a wall so can’t observe games. Limited to first 24 people. Bonus: Lots of bakers here every Sunday so lots of ways to gain back those calories expended playing pickleball.

Level of Play Index: 4/5
Intermediate- can get a good game in.

GOM Index:
███░░░░░░░░░░
Minimal grump. Plenty of kindness.

East Bayfront Community Centre

Court Conditions Index: 5/5
3 courts with plenty of room. Modern, bright, excellent floors — luxurious by community centre standards. One problem; only street parking with meters.

Overall Vibe Index: 4/5
Calm and welcoming.

Level of Play Index: 4/5
Strong, focused players. Good learning environment. Raquet system guarantees fair set up

GOM Index:
███░░░░░░░░░
Medium-level muttering. Nothing serious.

GOM Index:
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Basically a zen retreat. No grump on Thursday Ladies Day!

John Innes Community Recreation Centre

Court Conditions Index: 3/5
Older gym, but solid enough. Glare on sunny days and limited maneuvering space.

Overall Vibe Index: 4/5
Diverse. Only been here once so not too familiar with the regulars.

Level of Play Index: 3/5
Intermediate level of play

GOM Index:
████░░░░░░░░░
Moderate grumpiness. But like I said, only been here once.

Joseph J. Piccininni Community Centre

Court Conditions Index: 3/5
Large gym, 4 courts, moves quickly, back wall very close to back line & courts tight together.

Overall Vibe Index: 3/5
Mixed — can be friendly or intense depending on the hour.

Level of Play Index: 4/5
Moderate to strong intermediates.

GOM Index:
██████░░░░░░░

Strong GOM representation. Come prepared.

Mary McCormick Recreation Centre

Court Conditions Index: 3.5/5
Classic community gym feel. Sometimes crowded. Spot glare on one side especially when sunny.

Overall Vibe Index: 3/5
Social but unpredictable — you never know what you’re going to get. A bit cliquey. White board sign-up system doesn’t allow diversity of play.

Level of Play Index: 4/5
A true mix — could be beginners or fireballs.

GOM Index:
███████░░░░░░
Advanced-level muttering. Approach with humor.

North Toronto Memorial Community Centre

Court Conditions Index: 4/5
Clean, bright, well-organized courts. Only been here once.

Overall Vibe Index: 4/5
Friendly but focused. Good community feel. Come early for sign up.

Level of Play Index: 4/5
Intermediate-high intermediate crowd.

GOM Index:
████░░░░░░░░░
Some grumps, mostly manageable.

One Yonge Community Recreation Centre

Court Conditions Index: 4/5
Good surfaces, lots of room around the courts.

Overall Vibe Index: 3.5/5
Chill but competitive.

Level of Play Index: 4/5
Strong intermediates.

GOM Index:
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Seemingly low GOM concentration. Another “only been here once” so can’t really comment.

Parkdale Community Recreation Centre

Court Conditions Index: 3/5
3 courts, tight conditions

Overall Vibe Index: 3/5
Moderately friendly.

Level of Play Index: 3.5/5
Intermediate crowd.

GOM Index:
████░░░░░░░░░
Some grumps, us included.

St. Lawrence Community Centre

Court Conditions Index: 4/5
3 courts, open doors for air circulation

Overall Vibe Index: 3.5/5
Moderately friendly.

Level of Play Index: 3.5/5
Intermediate crowd.

GOM Index:
███░░░░░░░░░░
First time here recently. On court GOMs present, sometimes losing the grump off court.

Trinity Community Recreation Centre

Court Conditions Index: 3/5
3 courts, tight space. Rahim keeps the games organized and going so games are mixed.

Overall Vibe Index: 4/5
Friendly, supportive, quirky crowd. Arrive early for limited sign up.

Level of Play Index: 3.5/5
Mixed levels — good for learning.

GOM Index:
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Low GOM concentration. Very pleasant

Wallace Emerson Community Centre

Court Conditions Index: 2/5
Glare on one side, confusing lines, no room at back line— but playable.

Overall Vibe Index: 4/5
Lively, everyone is super chill and nice.

Level of Play Index: 3/5
Mostly intermediate level of play

GOM Index:
█░░░░░░░░░░░
Minimal grump. Mostly sunshine.

Wellesley Community Centre

Court Conditions Index: 4/5
Clean, modern, great light.

Overall Vibe Index: 4/5
Super friendly — a happy gym.

Level of Play Index: 3.5/5
Moderate, approachable, inclusive.

GOM Index:
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Low GOM sightings. Green alert to visit.

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