Designing for Wellness: How Backyard Courts Are Changing the Game in Canada

Why Backyard Courts Are Making a Big Impact in Canadian Communities

Across Canada, families and communities are rethinking how they use their outdoor spaces. As urban neighbourhoods become more dense and screen time continues to rise, parents, educators, and planners are looking for new ways to encourage movement, activity, and connection - right at home.

At Total Sport Solutions, we’ve seen firsthand how a well-designed backyard or community court transforms not just the physical space, but the way people interact with it. A court becomes more than a place to play - it becomes a reason to come outside, a place to gather, and a quiet nudge toward a healthier lifestyle.

“When kids outgrow the swing set, the backyard often gets ignored,” says Ian Lintott, partner at TSS. “A court brings it back to life - and gets everyone off their screens.”

Whether it’s basketball, hockey, volleyball, or pickleball, these spaces become the centre of family activity, and often the heart of the neighbourhood.

From Landscaping to Leadership in Sport Surfaces

Ian’s path to sport infrastructure wasn’t exactly linear. His early career was rooted in landscaping and organic lawn care. But a chance discovery - a modular plastic tile used in sport courts - sparked a new direction.

“I saw this tile at a trade show and someone mentioned people were using it to build backyard courts,” Ian recalls. “That was all I needed to hear.”

Intrigued by the idea, Ian flew to a conference in Chicago hosted by the tile’s manufacturer. He returned with inspiration, and Total Sport Solutions was born. What started with a few projects in backyards grew into a company that now supports schools, community centres, and families across Ontario and beyond.

It wasn’t easy. At the time, backyard courts weren’t common in Canada, and most people didn’t know they were even an option. But with each successful build came another referral, another conversation, and another space brought to life.

Building Courts That Build Community

Over the years, one thing has become clear: families aren’t just looking for a single-use sport surface. They’re looking for ways to create spaces that evolve with their needs.

Most backyard clients begin with basketball in mind. As they see how versatile their court can be, they add hockey lines or create space for volleyball. In recent years, pickleball has become the surprise addition - first as a fun extra, and now as a major driver of new installations.

A well-placed backyard court becomes a place where neighbours gather, kids come together after school, and parents know their children are active, safe, and nearby. The court isn’t just a play area - it becomes a modern “third place,” a safe zone between home and school where community happens.

“It’s like having a pool,” Ian explains, “but you can use it more often and more people get involved. We’ve seen families shovel snow off their courts just to keep playing in the winter.”

The Pickleball Shift

What began as a niche pastime for retirees has quickly grown into one of North America’s fastest-growing sports. For Ian and the team at TSS, the growth of pickleball has been impossible to ignore.

“At first, I thought it was a joke,” Ian laughs. “Now we’re getting calls from adults asking for dedicated pickleball courts in their backyards.”

Pickleball has found its place because it’s easy to learn, inclusive across generations, and social. Unlike tennis, which requires more technical skill and space, pickleball courts are smaller and more approachable. Parents, kids, and grandparents can all play together, often with little instruction.

That kind of accessibility has made it a natural fit for families - and a strategic choice for schools and rec centres looking to increase participation and make the most of their space.

What Makes TSS Different

At Total Sport Solutions, our approach has always been grounded in service. We start by listening. Every court we install - whether in a backyard, a gym, or a community hub - is designed to meet the real, long-term needs of the client.

Sometimes that means advising a family to consider a different configuration than what they originally envisioned. Sometimes it means helping a facility manager understand how a few small changes - like adding pickleball lines to an existing floor - can lead to new rental opportunities and expanded programming.

We use premium materials built to last, but our focus is always on the people using the space, not just the surface itself. Our courts are modular and adaptable, so families can change colour schemes, re-line for different sports, or add new features as their needs evolve.

As Ian puts it, “You’re going to make mistakes. That’s part of it. But if you keep the client’s needs at the forefront, you’re doing the right thing.”

Looking Ahead

If you’re part of a school board, a municipality, or a homeowner with kids who are outgrowing the grass, now’s a great time to explore your options.

Pickleball continues to grow, and spaces that accommodate it - whether indoor or outdoor - are in high demand. Even if your existing surface isn’t perfect, the interest is there. Add lines, start small, and build from there.

Recreation should be accessible, inclusive, and designed to evolve. Whether it’s a backyard court or a large-scale facility, we’re here to help you build something that lasts.