Curling rink transformed into bocce venue for new Ontario social league

A bright idea from a bocce lover in the remote Canadian town of Killarney has transformed its community centre’s curling rink into a hot new venue for summer bocce.

The transformation has been made possible through the purchase of two of Packaworld’s portable bocce courts, which take centre stage on Tuesdays for a social league being run by the local council during curling’s off-season.

Municipality of Killarney Project Coordinator Sanket Shinde said bringing the traditional Italian sport to the area was part of the municipality’s goal of improving community wellbeing and social engagement through recreation.

Although Killarney had a population of less than 500, locals deserved the same kinds of opportunities to enjoy physical activity as people in larger localities, he said.

“Maintaining mobility and promoting physical activity is essential for people’s wellbeing and bocce’s accessibility makes it the perfect fit for our approach.

“Bocce is an inclusive sport that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and abilities, which is especially important for Killarney, where more than 50% of the population is comprised of seniors aged 60 and older.”

Shinde said after extensive research by the municipality’s project team the courts were chosen as the ideal fit to enable the bocce league at the community centre, allowing the unused space to be transformed during summer and autumn into a dedicated bocce hideout.

“We selected Packabocce courts because they offer a portable and high-quality solution that aligns with our needs, and the ability to easily set up and take down the courts was crucial.”

Prepping the courts was straightforward, allowing people to get active and playing quickly, he said.

“Once the artificial lawn was laid out, the setup process for the courts involved just two people. They were able to unpack, inflate, and secure the courts with minimal effort.”

Shinde said he has been receiving positive feedback from the diverse mix of senior and younger players involved and hopes to expand participation and host further seasons after the inaugural league finishes at the end of September.

“The highlight for us so far has been the level of community engagement and the opportunity to see people of all ages enjoying the sport of bocce.”

The official opening of the bocce league was attended by Michael Mantha, a well-known member of Ontario’s provincial parliament, providing an opportunity to celebrate funding secured for various community projects, including the bocce league itself.

Mantha, who has played bocce in the past, was impressed by the portable design of the Packbocce courts and “amazed” at how compactly they could be stored in their bags, Shinde said.

Packaworld Chief Executive Peter Roberts said the launch of the bocce league in Killarney was a testament to the community’s commitment to fostering healthy lifestyles and connection through recreation.

“We’re proud to offer a product that can transform underutilised spaces into vibrant hubs of activity. The use of our portable courts demonstrates how the right equipment can enhance the versatility of community spaces and support active, engaged lifestyles.”

>> Learn more about Packaworld's portable bocce courts on our Packabocce page.