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Where to Play Squash in Calgary

Racquet Network does not own or operate any squash courts or squash facilities. Our players are active at the following publicly accessible squash facilities across Calgary. When necessary for tournaments and leagues, Racquet Network also rents courts from these same facilities.

Players are responsible for organizing their own matches paying their own court fees, booking their own courts and obeying the rules at the facilities they are using.

PUBLIC SQUASH FACILITIES

This is not a comprehensive list. It’s just a summary. If you want to add another facility, please let us know. The following allow the public to rent courts by the hour.

ACADIA RECREATION COMPLEX – 403-255-1252

Open to public. No membership required. Two squash courts. Three racquetball/wallyball courts. All can be rented by the hour by non-members. Advance bookings required by phone. They do not answer the phone on the weekends. They rarely answer it in the evenings either. Plentiful free parking.

FISH CREEK SPORTS CLUB- 403-256-1766

Private club with a bar and fitness area. General public can book courts and play for a $15 drop-in fee. Three squash courts. Two racquetball courts. Drop-in squash available Saturdays from 10-12 and Wednesdays from 7-9. Adult and junior lessons with a squash pro are available for both members and non members. Contact kiefer@raquetnetwork.com for more info on lessons. About 60 members at all levels. Membership fees are $40-60 per month depending on your membership plan. Free parking.

SOUTHLAND LEISURE CENTRE – 403-648-6555

Open to public. Membership optional. Two squash courts. Two racquetball/wallyball courts. All can be rented by the hour by non-members. Advance bookings required by phone. Online booking available. Plentiful free parking.

MOUNT ROYAL UNIVERSITY – 403-440-6517

Open to public. Membership optional. Six squash courts. All can be rented by the hour by non-members. Drop-in squash available Saturday mornings from 9-12. Box leagues available to MRU Recreation members. Advance bookings required by phone. General public can book 1 day in advance. Online booking available up to 7 days in advance for members. Plentiful parking, but it’s expensive except on Sundays.

UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY – 403-220-5029

Open to public. Membership optional. 10 squash courts. Four racquetball courts. All can be rented by the hour by non-members. Advance bookings required by phone. Online booking available. Plentiful parking, but it’s expensive.

SAIT – 403-284-8027

Open to public. Membership optional. Six squash courts. One racquetball/wallyball court. All can be rented by the hour by non-members. Advance bookings required by phone. Online booking available. Plentiful parking, but it’s expensive.

TRAIL COURTS – 403-277-9673

Open to public. Membership optional. Three squash courts. Four racquetball courts. All can be rented by the hour by non-members. Advance bookings required by phone. Plentiful free parking.

EAU CLAIRE YWCA – 403-269-6701

Downtown. Open to public. Two courts. Membership optional. Free parking.

PRIVATE SQUASH FACILITIES

The following require memberships. Some are well managed. Some are not. We don’t review clubs and we don’t allow members to review clubs on this website because in the past, some clubs have retaliated against us for poor reviews posted by our members. We encourage all prospective members to investigate thoroughly before committing to a long term membership.

FITNESS PLUS SOUTH – 403-258-0333

Private club. Members can bring guests. Three squash courts. Box leagues. About 60 players at all levels. Membership fees are $50-80 per month depending on your membership plan. Free parking.

WEST HILLHURST HEALTH CLUB – 403-283-0464

Private club. Members can bring guests. Three squash courts. About 80 players at all levels. Membership fees are $50-80 per month depending on your membership plan. Online booking available. Free parking but lot is often full.

WORLD HEALTH CLUB – 403-239-4048

Private club. Members can bring guests. 8 singles squash courts. 2 doubles squash courts. Box leagues. About 300 players at all levels. Membership fees PLUS court fees required for court access. Free parking, but a tiny parking lot.

BANKER’S HALL – 403-298-4750

Private club. Downtown. Four courts. Lots of members. Membership fees are about $80.00 a month. Parking is extra.

FIFTH AVENUE CLUB – 403-543-4747

Private club. Downtown.

WESTERN CANADIAN PLACE FITNESS CENTRE – 403-662-2240

Private club. Two squash courts and a gym. Public are welcome for a drop-in fee. Drop-in squash available from 11:30-1:30 on Fridays. Lessons and clinics with a pro are also available to members and the public.

BOW VALLEY CLUB – 403-265-9074

Private club. Dowtown. Very social place — essentially a bar/restaurant with a built-in squash club. Singles and doubles courts. Lots of members. No free parking.

CALGARY WINTER CLUB

Private Club. Lots of courts. Buy-in is something like $35,000. Annual fees are in the neighbourhood of $5000 per family. Plentiful free parking.

THE GLENCOE CLUB

Private Club. Lots of courts. Buy-in is something like $50,000. Annual fees are in the neighbourhood of $8000 per family. However, they are not accepting new members, so the prices are moot. Plentiful free parking.

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How to Test Drive the Yonex Astrox 99

How to Test Drive the Yonex Astrox 99

Test drive the Yonex ™ Astrox 99 badminton racquet before you buy it. This racquet is available as part of our Try Before You Buy racquet demo program offered in our southwest Calgary store.

Demo Program Details

This program is the best way to ensure that the racquet you purchase is the right racquet for you.

Pro shop customers demo more than 2000 racquets every year. The satisfaction rate for customers who participate in this program is nearly 100% six months after their purchase.

This program is offered only in-store. It is not available to online customers.

Customers who wish to enter the demo program or talk to staff about this program, must do so in person. The pro shop does not conduct demo program business over the phone, by email, or by text.

Book an EXPRESS SERVICE APPOINTMENT to discuss this further.

How much does it cost to test drive racquets?

Test driving costs nothing, but customers who enter the program are committing to buying a racquet from us at the end of the one-month trial period.

How does it work?

Test drivers put down a security deposit. This allows them to test drive any racquet we have in our demo program. They can then test each racquet for up to one week. At the end of the one-month trial period, they choose the racquet they want to purchase and their deposit is refunded against the purchase price.

How much is the deposit?

The size of the deposit depends on the number of racquets the customer wants to take out each each week. If they are testing one racquet at a time, the deposit is $50.00. If they are testing two at a time, the deposit is $100.00.

What if I change my mind and do not want to buy a racquet?

Our demo program is only offered to customers who are committed to purchasing a new racquet from us within 30 days. If you do not intend to buy a racquet from us, please do not enter our demo program.

Can I apply my demo deposit to an online racquet purchase?

Our racquet demo program is offered to in-store customers only. Demo deposits can only be applied to in-store purchases. They cannot be applied to online purchases.

How do I start?

Simply make an appointment to come into the store. Bring a valid credit card. One of our experts will set up a demo account and help you choose your first racquet to test drive. This process usually requires about 30 minutes on the first visit. Subsequent visits to drop off and pick up only required a couple of minutes each.

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Yonex Astrox 99 Badminton Racquet

Yonex Astrox 99 Badminton Racquet

The Yonex ™ Astrox 99 badminton racquet has several technical innovations that improve upon earlier racquets in the Astrox series. Each of these innovations are described below. If you want to test drive this racquet, stop by our store in southwest Calgary.

Buy Yonex Astrox 99

Yonex Astrox 99 Badminton Racquet Innovations

Yonex Namd

Yonex Namd Badminton Racquet Technology
Yonex Namd Badminton Racquet Technology

A world-first, new dimension graphite material, Namd, greatly improves the adhesion of the graphite fibers and resin by attaching nanomaterial directly to the graphite fiber.

In high performance racquets, it is common to combine nanomaterials with resin that connects graphite fibers, but in Yonex Namd, nanomaterials are directly adhered to the graphite fibers and resin is greatly increased. This major improvement in Yonex racquets produces a shaft that flexes and stores energy, delivering explosive force on impact with the shuttle.


Yonex Badminton Racquet Full Frame Namd

Yonex Full Racquet Namd Badminton Racquet Technology
Yonex Full Racquet Namd Badminton Racquet Technology

The ASTROX 99 has adopted Namd in the entire body of the racquet, including the frame. This doubles contact time with the shuttle, resulting in an explosive shot, as the racquet returns from flexed to straight at the end of the swing.


Yonex Nanometric

Yonex Nanometric Badminton Technology
Yonex Nanometric Badminton Technology

NANOMETRIC* improves the bonding strength between the carbon fibres enabling us to take racquet shaft construction to another level. By reducing the amount of carbon in the shaft to make it 60%* thinner than a conventional racquet whilst retaining stiffness, YONEX has created a revolutionary lightweight racquet with lightening head speed and control.

*NANOMETRIC is the new material which applies the NANOALLOYTM Technology of Toray Industries, Inc.


New Grommet Pattern

Yonex New Grommet Pattern Racquet Technology
Yonex New Grommet Pattern Racquet Technology

Yonex’ new single-pass grommet hole construction provides more grommet holes and fewer shared holes than other brands. This permits for a more high-performance stringing pattern.


Rotational Generator System

Yonex Rotational Generator System Badminton Racquet Technology
Yonex Rotational Generator System Badminton Racquet Technology

Yonex rotational generator system applies the counterbalance theory in Yonex racquets. Weight is distributed throughout the grip end, frame top and the joint for maximum control. This ensures a smooth and rapid transition to the next shot.


Solid Feel Core

Yonex Solid Feel Core Badminton Racquet Technology
Yonex Solid Feel Core Badminton Racquet Technology

The built-in solid feel core in Yonex premium racquets reduces harmful miscellaneous vibration at impact. This technology, called “solid feel core” is a feature of all Yonex racquets manufactured in Japan.


Super Slim Shaft

Illustration
Reduced Air Resistance

This is the slimmest shaft ever produced by Yonex. It vastly reduces air resistance whilst providing maximum feel.


Aero+Box Frame

Yonex Aero Box Frame Badminton Racquet Technology
Yonex Aero Box Frame Badminton Racquet Technology

Yonex frames are contoured differently on different parts of the loop. Some areas feature an aerodynamic shape to reduce air resistance. Other areas feature a box shape to provide strength and power. This combination offers a quick swing with a solid feel.


Built in T-Joint

Moulded deep into the layers of graphite where the frame connects with the shaft, the YONEX Built-in T-Joint creates a durable and high-strength one-piece frame that is torque-free.


Energy Boost Cap

Yonex Energy Boost Cap Badminton Racquet Technology
Yonex Energy Boost Cap Badminton Racquet Technology

The new shape of the energy boost cap allows the shaft to flex, which ensures the maximum effect of “Namd (more flex and faster kick-back graphite material)” and stabilizes the racquet face by preventing the shaft twisting, increasing control


Isometric Head Shape

Yonex Nanomesh Neo Badminton Racquet Technology
Yonex Nanomesh Neo Badminton Racquet Technology

Yonex’ square-shaped ISOMETRIC frame shape is designed to keep vertical strings at a similar length. This shape produces a larger sweet spot in all directions.

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Yonex Aerus 3 – What You Need to Know

YONEX POWER CUSHION AERUS 3 COURT SHOLES BLUE

Yonex Aerus 3 – What You Need to Know

YONEX POWER CUSHION AERUS 3 COURT SHOES BLACK
Yonex Aerus 3 has a coloured rubber outsole and may not be welcome everywhere.
Sales of Yonex ™ new Power Cushion Aerus 3 have started strongly. Everybody seems to be interested in this shoe and everybody wants to try it. Before they rush in to buy this shoe, though, we thought it was important to let our customers know what they may be getting themselves into.

The first thing people need to consider is durability. Those who remember the first iteration of this shoe — the Yonex Aerus — will remember what a disaster that shoe was for Yonex. Billed as the lightest badminton shoe ever made, it quickly became obvious that the Aerus was not built for durability. Nor was it built for continuous adult use. In fact, we processed more warranty requests for the Aerus than any Yonex shoe in the history of Racquet Network.

The second thing people need to consider is fit. Once again, a previous version of the shoe — in this case, the Aerus 2 — provides a history lesson. With a highly tapered toe, the Yonex Aerus 2 was certainly not built for everybody. In fact, in our store we found it fit less than one-third of our male customers. It seemed to fit players under 25 well enough, but the vast majority of players over 25 could not squeeze their feet into the Aerus’ narrow profile.

Yonex Aerus Series Badminton Shoes

The final thing that people need to consider before purchasing the Yonex Aerus 3 is whether or not they will be allowed to wear it in their badminton club. Here in Calgary, for example, two of our largest badminton clubs — Smash City and Sunridge Badminton Centre — are infamous for refusing to allow coloured rubber compounds on their courts. Specifically, both of these clubs traditionally prohibit black-soled shoes on their mats.

YONEX POWER CUSHION AERUS 3 COURT SHOES BLACK OUTSOLE
Some badminton clubs do not allow black-soled shoes.
The problem for Aerus 3 fans is that, unlike the Aerus 3R which was not imported into Canada by Yonex Canada, the shoe that was imported into Canada has a coloured sole. In fact, the black Aerus 3 has a black sole, which is banned in most badminton clubs using mats.

So if you are thinking about purchasing this shoe, the first thing should do is find out if the place you play allows coloured, non-marking shoes on their courts. Otherwise, you may end up with a pair of shoes you can’t used.

If you are sure you can use this shoe, the next thing you will want to consider is the fit. Yonex has certainly been improving in this area in recent years, but their standard width shoes — like the Aerus 3 — typically do not fit about one third of the players our experts serve in our store. Most importantly, Yonex shoes do not fit older players very well. So before buying this shoe, we strongly recommend coming in to try it on.

Finally, there is the question of the Aerus 3’s durability. Will it be a durable shoe or will it be a disaster like the original Aerus?

ASICS GEL-BLADE 6
On the surface, Yonex Power Cushion Aerus 3 and Asics Gel-Blade 6 appear to be very similar.
On the surface, Yonex Power Cushion Aerus 3 and Asics Gel-Blade 6 appear to be very similar shoes. Both feature coloured rubber compounds on their out soles. Both feature lightweight, one piece uppers and both have some form of cushioning in the forefoot and heel.

The only major difference appears to be on the inner aspect of the shoe where Asics ™ has added some extra material to protect against drag wear. For players who are using these shoes for badminton, this extra layer to protect against drag wear won’t make any difference to the shoe’s durability. But for players who plan to use this shoe for squash or pickleball, this may be an issue that reduces durability. In other words, how you are planning to use this shoe may determine whether or not it is durable enough for your needs.

Unfortunately, at this early point both shoes are still so new that there is no way to actually compare their durability. As always, we will know more about how well this shoe wears at the end of the season than the start of the season. In the meantime, we recommend that you come in and speak to one of our experts before make a decision. Once we know what and where you will be playing, we will be better able to advise you.

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Slipping and Sliding in Badminton Shoes

yonex-shb-34-300x238

Recently, I went to play badminton with drop-in group I had never met before. I was invited by a friend who wanted me to experience for myself just how slippery the floors were in the high school gym the group called home. In fact, he was so concerned about the floors that he wanted me (as a coach) to write a letter to the school board regarding the danger to athletes forced to compete in such conditions.

“OK,” I said when invited. “I’ll come.” But I knew full well what I was going to find when I got there, so I asked my friend what his shoe size was so that I could bring some shoes to test on the slippery floors. “It won’t make a difference,” my friend warned me. “Everybody is having the same problem. It doesn’t matter what kind of shoes they wear.”

In all there were 17 players present on the night I visited. Looking around the gym about 30 minutes into the session, I saw two players in Nike running shoes and 15 in court shoes. Of the 15 wearing court shoes, two were wearing tennis shoes and five were wearing Mizuno volleyball shoes with synthetic rubber heels.

The remaining eight were wearing indoor court shoes suitable for badminton. Of these eight, five pair were models that Yonex ™ stopped selling three to five years ago, two were new budget models and one — only one pair of shoes on the 17 players present — was a new model from the recreational category.

Halfway through the two hour session, my friend stopped play so he could formally introduce me and explain that I was there to examine the floor and potentially write a letter to the school board on the group’s behalf.

The first thing I did was ask for a show of hands. “How many people are slipping and sliding?” I asked. Almost every hand in the room shot up. “OK. How many people are not having problems?” Down went 15 arms and only two went up. One was the guy in the recreational grade badminton shoes and the other was a young lady in new budget grade shoes.

Without explanation, I divided the players into two groups. I put the two players with new shoes on one side of a badminton net and everybody else on the other. Then we did a little test. I asked the large group to show me how slippery the floor was. They obliged and made it clear that they were unable to maintain traction over most of the floor on their side of the court.

Then I asked the two players on the other side of the net to slip and slide around the floor on their side of the court. Of course, they could not. “No fair,” said one of the slip-n-sliders, “That side of the room has more traction because this side of the room has the doors and benches.” OK. Fair enough. I told the groups to change sides and we repeated the experiment. The young lady with the budget shoes was able to slide a little, but the guy with the recreational grade shoes had full traction of this side just as he had on the other.

To complete my demonstration, I asked my friend (one of the slip-n-sliders) and the guy with traction to remove their shoes. I then got down on my knees with one of their shoes in each hand. Pushing down and forward, I showed them how the worn out shoe in my left hand was able to slide across the surface while the shoe in my right hand refused to slide at all. I then invited the players to try it themselves and several did.

While they were doing that, I went to my bag and took out a new pair of recreational grade badminton shoes and asked my friend to put them on. Once they were correctly tied to his feet, I asked him to demonstrate once again how bad to floor was in the gymnasium. Of course, he could not, because there was nothing wrong with the floor in the first place.

The most important feature of athletic shoes is traction. It’s not style. It’s not colour. It’s not price. It’s traction first. Fit second — and everything else is last. If you do not have proper traction, you will not play well, you will not be safe and you will expose yourself to injury.

Buy good shoes with maximum traction and take care of them. Budget shoes are suitable for players who expect to outgrow them before they wear out. They are also suitable for players who will only need them for one session. Be aware, though, that budget shoes are a false economy. While they may cost 20-30% less than recreational grade shoes, they last half as long or less. So if you are a semi-frequent player, you will be buying budget shoes twice as often as recreational grade shoes because the traction they give you will be short-lived at best.

If you take care of recreational or competitive grade badminton shoes, you may get two full seasons out of them. But beware. Even the best organic rubber dries out over time. So you will have to replace your badminton shoes regularly, even if you don’t wear them, even if you take perfect care of them. Traction should be your guide. Once it’s gone, your shoes are done. Regardless of how much you paid for them, regardless of how much you like them, once the traction is gone, it’s time to replace them.