Make a Difference This Holiday Season – Join Our Annual Toy Drive & Round Robin!

The holiday season is a time of joy, tradition, and togetherness. But for some families in our community, it can also be a time of great vulnerability. Many face the heartbreak of struggling to provide for their children or maintain cherished traditions, making the holidays feel like a challenge instead of a celebration.

That’s why every year, our squash club comes together for something bigger than squash: our Annual Toy Drive & Round Robin. It’s our way of giving back, supporting families in need, and rediscovering the true spirit of the season.

Join us

Here’s how you can join us:

Sign up for singles on the board in the singles court area and for doubles on the board outside the doubles courts.  You can also respond to Nicole and let her know if you would prefer to play doubles or singles and she will add you to the list. 

  • Bring an unwrapped toy and nonperishable food item(s) to donate.
  • Participate in a fun and friendly round-robin tournament.
  • Date: Monday Dec. 9th 
  • Time: 6:00 sharp 

Why This Matters

By giving, we help families feel the warmth of the holidays and create moments of joy for children who might otherwise go without. It’s also an opportunity to counterbalance the season’s consumerism and focus on what truly matters – kindness, connection, and community.

Celebrate Our Club Community

And let’s not forget, this event isn’t just about helping others. It’s also about celebrating and strengthening the bonds that make our squash club so special. It’s a chance to reconnect with fellow members, share some laughs, and celebrate what it means to be part of a team that cares.

The night will include both doubles and singles squash round-robin fun games for all levels of players and all ages (the more the merrier)!  The evening will finish off at Sabina’s restaurant for some drinks and food for those of you who would like to join us!

Join Us and Make a Difference

So, whether you’re here to play, donate, or simply show your support, your presence will make a difference. Together, let’s show the power of our community to bring hope, joy, and generosity to those who need it most.

Looking forward to playing some “fun” squash and helping to put smiles on some children’s faces this holiday season! 

🎉 Congratulations to Carol Reilly: Winner of the 2023/2024 Chris Doona Memorial Award! 🎉

We are thrilled to announce that Carol Reilly has been awarded the prestigious Chris Doona Memorial Award for the year 2023/2024. This award holds a special place in our hearts as it honors the memory of Chris Doona, one of the four founding members of the Pickering Squash Club. Chris, along with Rosemary Aiken, Rod Ryde, and Vinard Parmar, had a vision in 1985 that has grown into a thriving home for squash players from Pickering and the east GTA for over 32 years. Sadly, Chris was taken from us far too soon, and in 1993, we established the Chris Doona Memorial Award to commemorate his service and dedication to our club.

Carol Reilly being presented with the Chris Doona award from the Pickering Squash Club

The award was presented at the Pickering Squash Club’s 70’s themed annual banguet.

The Chris Doona Memorial Award is presented annually to the individual who best exemplifies the spirit of the Pickering Squash Club. This person has unselfishly contributed their time and efforts over many years to help make the club what it is today. The award is voted on by previous winners and is presented each year at our annual award banquet.

Carol Reilly is a true embodiment of the Pickering Squash Club spirit. As a longtime supporter and former captain of the women’s squash D team for many years, Carol has shown incredible dedication by driving her team to matches, communicating vital information, and fostering a sense of community and care both for the team as individuals and as a whole. Her involvement in doubles squash has brought joy and fun to the court, and she has been an invaluable help with the club’s tournaments.

One member beautifully summed up Carol’s impact, noting that her enthusiasm and welcoming personality generate excitement for the game and encourage both new players and existing singles players to try out doubles. Her warm and friendly demeanor, great sense of humor, and generosity make her a beloved figure in our club.

Please join us in congratulating Carol Reilly on this well-deserved honor!


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Join Us for the Ian Parsons Doubles Squash Courts Naming Ceremony, Saturday, April 27th at noon!

Invitation to the Naming Ceremony of the Ian Parsons Doubles Squash Court April 27, 2024 at noon in the doubles courts.

Dear Squash Community,

We cordially invite you to join us for the special naming ceremony of our Ian Parsons Doubles Squash Courts.

For those who may not have had the privilege of knowing Ian, he was a visionary who understood the importance of doubles squash and its benefits, especially for aging squash players.

Ian Parsons

His “Doubles Vision” project was a testament to his dedication, spanning over ten years of fundraising efforts, with a $250,000 contribution from the Pickering Squash Club to the City, planning, and construction. In 2009, his vision became a reality with the opening of the doubles courts. Ian Parsons was not only a beloved member of our club but also a true leader who left an indelible mark on our squash community.

Today, thanks to Ian’s vision, the doubles courts are bustling with activity and the game is growing. The Pickering Squash Club hosts various tournaments, leagues, OSDL matches, and fun events, including our upcoming Shin-Dig tournaments starting this week. We are all able to enjoy the game and its numerous health benefits because of Ian’s dedication and foresight.

Ian was not only a visionary but also a wonderful, caring, and compassionate individual who is deeply missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.

Along with Ian’s family, friends, City Council and our members, please join us at Chestnut Hill Developments Recreation Complex (in the doubles court viewing area) on Sat. April 27th at 12:00 noon for this very special event in naming our very own Ian Parsons Doubles Squash Courts

Your presence would mean a great deal to us as we pay tribute to Ian’s legacy and celebrate his invaluable contributions to our squash community.


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2023 Toy Drive A Great Success

On behalf of the PSC executive team, a sincere thank you for joining us for a fun evening of squash, social and contribution to our toy drive in support of the Children’s Aid Society of Durham Region. A better turn out than expected and significant contributions!

Special thanks to Nicole, Steve Dizig, Sara Jane Cresswell, Jim Delouchry, and others (apologies for others missed) who helped organize this special event. We are very pleased to inform you Steve delivered a very large load of toys, including several hand made and donated by previous member, to the CAS this morning. Rest assured all donated toys will be provided to children in need, under the care of the CAS. There are so many heart breaking stories with children we are helping to brighten their day.

Thank you all again for your kindness and generosity, during such difficult times. A huge thank you as well, passed along from the Children’s Aid Society of Durham Region! 

Best regards, Merry Christmas, happy holidays and prosperous 2024 to all! 

Fred Dizig

President, PSC.

Check out a few pictures from the 2023 Toy Drive Night.

Reminder: Holiday Toy Drive & Fun Squash Night, Monday Dec 18!

Just a reminder that this year’s Holiday toy drive & squash fun night is this Monday, Dec 18, start time 6:15 pm sharp.

Please remember to bring an unwrapped toy to donate to a local charity (Durham Children’s Aid) to help support families in need of buying gifts for their children this holiday season.

For those who have yet to sign-up, sign-up sheets are still posted outside of the singles & doubles courts. You can sign-up for either the singles or doubles round robin. But if you don’t get a chance to sign up – show up anyway!

All levels are welcome to come out and play! We will be meeting in the doubles courts at 6:15 to collect the toys and go over the game rules for both the singles and doubles play for the evening.

If you are unable to attend Monday evening, please drop off an unwrapped toy either Sunday morning between 10am and 12noon in the doubles courts. It means so much to those less fortunate this holiday season!

When the round robins are done, we will be going out for some food, beverage & holiday cheer!

We hope to see everyone there!

Check out the toy drive from last year!

Thank You For the Donation

Dear Family and Friends,

Thank you VERY MUCH to all who have donated so generously with food and funds to the St Paul’s on the Hill Food Bank, located on Pickering Parkway, serving the needs of many families across the City of Pickering and Town of Ajax. We are extremely pleased to inform you this past Friday Dec 08 we delivered 2 full large containers (approx 250 pounds) of the various food types, along with over $1,200 in cheques (estimate total $1,500 including direct e-transfers) in funds to the food bank. On behalf of Lindsey Morrill (Food Bank Director), Rick D’Souza and myself (Pickering Squash Club), a sincere THANK YOU for your continued support of our community in need. 

Best of the season, happy holidays and Merry Christmas to you and loved ones. 

Kind regards,

Rick D’Souza & Fred Dizig

Pickering Squash Club

Great Party Saturday Night

What a party we had on Saturday night for our 2023 Squash Club Banquet. Everyone was dressed in their Western garb and Hootin’ up and Hollerin’ on the dance floor.

Music was provided by Ron Del and his Blue Thumb Envy Band. Have a look at this video that Ron posted today.
https://www.facebook.com/653836328/videos/231283292923777/

A big thank you goes out to our Banquet Cowgirls who put the event together and did a wonderful job of decorating Drums and Flats for the even.
Thank you Caryn, Carol, Deb, S.J. and Hazel for a job well done.


Congratulations to our two new members of the Chris Doona Award Winners, Steve Dizig and Mark Rohlehr. Well deserved Gentlemen.


Click here for more pictures.

PSC Toy Drive 2022

On Thursday evening, the Membership got together for a great cause. Each member brought a toy (and many brought many toys) so that those less fortunate could have a Happy Christmas. They played hard and laughed. Then the majority got together at Sabina’s to celebrate the Holiday Season.

PSC Members collected Toys for the Children’s Aid Society of Durham

Friday morning, Steve D. delivered an SUV load of toys collected at the event. Very special thanks to Steve for organizing with the Children’s Aid Society of Durham Region and delivering a full load of items, and to Nicole for organizing at the club and messaging our members!

All items were very well received by the team at CAS this morning. They are extremely pleased with our donations which will go directly to children in need, prior to Christmas!

For more pictures from the evening, please view the Club Instagram at the following URL:

Check out the PSC on Instagram:   https://instagram.com/PickeringSquash

2022 Food Bank Golf Tourney a success

The PSC raise $13,995 for the Food Bank

A note from Kevin Cahill

On behalf my partner Terry Bruce, and our amazing group of Pickering Squash Club volunteers, we thank you all so very much for your support of our local food bank.

Results are in and just shy of $14,000.00 was raised to help those less fortunate in our community. We are blessed to have so many like minded individuals wishing to make a difference in our community.

Words simply cannot express the amount of thanks that both Terry and I feel about each and everyone of you.

Have a wonderful rest of the summer and hope to see you all next year at our event on Thursday July 20, 2023.

Kevin Cahill, Chair of the Golf Tournament
Terry Bruce, CO-Chair

You can view pictures from the tournament here: Golf Tourney Pictures

Covid-19 Closures

On Behalf of the City of Pickering we wish to announce that the Recreation Complex will be closed for the next three weeks. As a result all Pickering Squash Club programs, leagues and events will be postponed until further notice.

Please See the City notice below:

The City of Pickering will be implementing social distancing measures advised by the World Health Organization.
All programs, facility permits, and events have been cancelled, and Community Centres will be closed from March 13, 2020 at 4:30 pm until April 5, 2020 (inclusive).
Recreation Complex Memberships will be extended for the full period that the facility is closed.
All fees paid for facility bookings will be refunded.
All Winter Programs including Aquatics, Leisure will be credited for cancelled classes. There will not be a make-up class(s)
March Break Camps will be refunded.
Big Band Event ticket holders may bring their ticket to the original purchase location between April 6 and April 24 to receive a refund.
Program Registration – Spring Registration scheduled to start March 24 and March 26 is currently under review and start date is to be determined
City public events will be cancelled from March 13, 2020 at 4:30 pm until April 5, 2020 (inclusive). See the website at pickering.ca/events for our event listing.
Please note that all Pickering Public Library Branches, Don Beer Arena, CHD Recreation Complex, and Pickering Museum Village are also included in this closure.

We apologize for the inconvenience but the wellbeing of our staff and patrons is our first priority.
Public health risk is continually reassessed as new information becomes available, please access the city website at pickering.ca/NovelCoronavirus for future updates.
Additionally further questions can be directed to the City’s Customer Care Department at 905.683.7575 or by email at [email protected]
Chestnut Hill Developments Recreation Complex
1867 Valley Farm Road
Pickering, ON
L1V 3Y7