Smashing Success: Ottawa Pickleball Classic raises $100,000 for Heart Institute

Published On: May 5, 2025By Caroline Phillips

When participants began showing up a couple of hours early on Sunday to warm up for the Ottawa Pickleball Classic, organizers took it as a really good sign: players were ready to rally for a great cause at the sold-out fundraiser for the Heart Institute.

It was a picture-perfect pickleball party, with faux flowers and trees, old-fashioned street lamps and outdoor benches complementing the Day in the Park theme. “It was so great to see everybody walk in and have smiles on their faces,” University of Ottawa Heart Institute Foundation president Lianne Laing said while welcoming the 103 teams to the fundraiser, hosted by and at the EY Centre.

The afternoon event raised just over $100,000 — practically doubling last year’s total. It’s shaping up to be even “bigger and better” next year, said Laing.

The Ottawa Pickleball Classic, presented by CHG Meridian, featured players of all skill levels — some of whom kept score, some who didn’t.

The University of Ottawa Heart Institute Foundation hosted its “Day in the Park” Ottawa Pickleball Classic at the EY Centre on Sunday, May 4, 2025. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Former Ottawa Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson, now an assistant coach with the team, introduced his 13-year-old son William to the game. “He picked it up pretty well,” said Alfredsson, who generously shared the court with his son, holding back on smashes and flashy shots against their opponents. “I’m not trying to win; I’m trying to have a good time.”

Another local hockey legend, Chris Phillips, teamed up with his realtor wife, Erin Phillips. They make as good a pair on the court as they do off. “She’s awesome,” Chris, vice president of operations for the Ottawa Senators, said after wrapping up their final game together.

Deserving of a “best team player” award was Dr. Rob Beanlands, president and CEO of the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, for being such a good sport. He and his pickleball partner, clinical director of critical care Julie McKechnie, wore Thing 1 and Thing 2 costumes, complete with bright blue wigs, at the insistence of the nursing staff. He kept his costume on all afternoon, finally flinging his wig off after the exciting ceremonial cheque presentation.

Dr. Beanlands said he loved seeing the community come together in support of the Heart Institute. “This is fabulous; this is so much fun,” he told CiTC in between games. “It’s just great to be out and doing something physical.”

Dr. Rob Beanlands and his pickleball partner Julie Mckechnie, director of critical care at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, had a friendly rivalry against Ottawa cardiologist Dr. Michael Froeschl at the Ottawa Pickleball Classic. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Daniel Alfredsson watches his son, William, while they play together in the Ottawa Pickleball Classic, held in support of the University of Ottawa Heart Institute at the EY Centre on Sunday, May 4, 2025. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Chris Phillips and his wife, Erin Phillips, played together in the Ottawa Pickleball Classic, held in support of the University of Ottawa Heart Institute at the EY Centre on Sunday, May 4, 2025. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Ottawa Pickleball Classic co-chair Jake Levinson, Heart Institute president and CEO Dr. Rob Beanlands (still in costume), Heart Institute Foundation president Lianne Laing, volunteer Kenzy Jones, the Foundation’s Lindsay Firestone and Madison Tackaberry, and volunteer Jeff Turner reveal the total amount raised: $100,350. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Not to be underestimated by their cute bubblegum pink skirts were Louise Malhotra from Claridge Homes and her pickleball partner, Sarah Grand. Likewise, nice-guy Stuart Ages, principal at Paramount Properties, clearly knows his way around a paddle.

James Bickerton, district vice president of Mackenzie Investments, had so much fun last year that he enthusiastically returned as a major sponsor. “They’ve really elevated this event to an insane level,” he told CiTC. Similarly, Frank Napolitano, managing partner and mortgage agent with Mortgage Brokers Ottawa, stepped up as a first-time sponsor after getting hooked on pickleball participating last year.

Jennifer Nicol and Claire Greenberg powered through the CN Cycle for CHEO earlier that day to bring their energy to the Ottawa Pickleball Classic.

Back in action was Riaz Sidi, president of sponsor Sidi.io. He broke his ankle this past winter, while walking in the Glebe, and was happy to make the Heart Institute fundraiser his first “proper exercise” since his accident.

Stuart Ages, principal at Paramount Properties, in action at the Ottawa Pickleball Classic, held in support of the University of Ottawa Heart Institute at the EY Centre on Sunday, May 4, 2025. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Louise Malhotra and Sarah Grand partnered up to play in the Ottawa Pickleball Classic, held in support of the University of Ottawa Heart Institute at the EY Centre on Sunday, May 4, 2025. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Frank Napolitano, managing partner and mortgage agent with Mortgage Brokers Ottawa, University of Ottawa Heart Institute Foundation president Lianne Laing and Mike Hapke, CEO at Advanced Mortgage Investment Corporation, at the Ottawa Pickleball Classic, held in support of the University of Ottawa Heart Institute at the EY Centre. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Riaz Sidi, seen wearing at least one JUMP IN for Women’s Heart Health sock, at the Ottawa Pickle Classic held in support of the University of Ottawa Heart Institute at the EY Centre on Sunday, May 4, 2025. Photo by Caroline Phillips.

Dr. Rob Beanlands in action at the “Day in the Park” Ottawa Pickleball Classic, held at the EY Centre on Sunday, May 4, 2025. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Foundation board member Jean Spicer alongside Carol Williams, Shannon Lambert and past Foundation board member Krista Kealey at the Ottawa Pickle Classic held in support of the University of Ottawa Heart Institute at the EY Centre on Sunday, May 4, 2025. Photo by Caroline Phillips

James Bickerton, district vice presidentMackenzie Investments, and his wife, behavioural scientist Pauline Kabitsis, teamed up for the “Day in the Park” Ottawa Pickleball Classic held in support of the University of Ottawa Heart Institute at the EY Centre on Sunday, May 4, 2025. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Former Ottawa city councillor Mathieu Fleury, playing alongside Dr. Alykhan Abdulla, was new to the sport of pickleball during the Ottawa Pickleball Classic held in support of the University of Ottawa Heart Institute at the EY Centre on Sunday, May 4, 2025. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Chris Phillips and Erin Phillips pose with Altea pickleball instructors Sean James, far left, and Samir Bhatnagar at the “Day in the Park” Ottawa Pickleball Classic, held at the EY Centre in support of the Heart Institute. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Later, prizes were handed out, including best costume. Lori Devereux, director of construction and property management at Altis Recruitment, and Tori Moore, vice president with Adecco, won (likely scoring extra points for playing the entire afternoon without removing their hardhats).

J.D. Lees from BMO Nesbitt Burns scored a private pickleball lesson as a runner-up raffle prize, not that he looked like he needed it.

The grand prize — a five-day trip for two to Iqaluit with flights provided by Canadian North — was initially won by Lindsay Firestone, director of community engagement and development for the Heart Institute Foundation. She immediately offered it back. The next name drawn was Rocco Caminiti, one of the volunteer organizers of the Heart Institute Foundation’s golf tournament. “I think Rocco and Lindsay just agreed they’re going to go together,” joked event co-chair and real estate developer/investor Jake Levinson. To give you an idea of how much work goes into the event, he started taping the lines for the temporary pickleball courts on the Friday.

Levinson and co-chair Colin Zappia were joined on the committee by volunteers Jeff Turner and Kenzy Jones, along with Firestone and Madison Tackaberry, officer of special events and donor engagement for the Heart Institute Foundation. The decor for the event was the work of Sharon Bosley-House of Avant-Garde Designs.

Also present that day was Foundation board chair James Annis of BMO Nesbitt Burns. He teamed up for his second year with plucky son Pete. Other board members included Jean Spicer, Erin Zipes, Lucas Matheson, Jordan Bianconi and Jonathan Murray.

The Ottawa Pickleball Classic offered plenty of free drinks and food, courtesy of LUXE Steak House/Bistro and Empress 1908 Gin. Altea Active Ottawa also took part in a big way. The new fitness and wellness centre boasts six pickleball courts that are often in high demand.

A mobile screening station allowed participants to check for possible heart risk factors, proving useful for folks who are without a family doctor or don’t know the signs to look for.

“I know last year there were a couple of people who came to play pickleball and, the next they knew, were visiting the Heart Institute based on their screening,” said Laing. “They had no idea they were at risk.”

Volunteering at the mobile clinic were local cardiologist Dr. David Messika-Zeitoun and clinical care coordinator Cindy Cross.

University of Ottawa Heart Institute Foundation chair James Annis (BMO Nesbitt Burns) and his son Pete paired up again for this year’s Ottawa Pickleball Classic. Photo by Caroline Phillips

J.D. Lees from BMO Nesbitt Burns ended up winning a runner-up raffle prize for a private pickleball lesson at the Ottawa Pickleball Classic fundraiser for the Heart Institute. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Lori Devereux from Altis Recruitment and her pickleball partner Tori Moore from Adecco were the winners of best costume at the “Day in the Park” Ottawa Pickleball Classic in support of the Ottawa Heart Institute. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Jessica Greenberg, vice president of asset management at Osgoode Properties, teamed up with Zev Kershman from Digi Brokerage for the “Day in the Park” Ottawa Pickleball Classic in support of the University of Ottawa Heart Institute. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Daniel Alfredsson in action at the Ottawa Pickleball Classic held at the EY Centre in support of the Heart Institute. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Chris Phillips and his wife Erin Phillips in action at the Ottawa Pickleball Classic, held at the EY Centre in support of the Heart Institute. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Lindsay Firestone from the Heart Institute Foundation offered back her grand prize, only for it to be won by Rocco Caminiti, who’s one of the volunteers of the charity golf tournament for the Heart Institute. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Claire Greenberg and Jennifer Nicol played the Ottawa Pickleball Classic after participating earlier that day in the CN Ride for CHEO. Photo by Caroline Phillips

James Bickerton, district vice president of Mackenzie Investments, and his wife, behavioural scientist Pauline Kabitsis, played together in the Ottawa Pickleball Classic. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Jeff Johnson, partner at BDO Canada, participated in the Ottawa Pickle Classic held in support of the University of Ottawa Heart Institute at the EY Centre on Sunday, May 4, 2025. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Participants of the Ottawa Pickleball Classic were invited to relax in the “recovery zone” sponsored by Altea. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Rob Stanton watches his pickleball partner, Pawan Dilawri, president at Dilawri Auto Group, in action during the Ottawa Pickleball Classic held in support of the University of Ottawa Heart Institute at the EY Centre on Sunday, May 4, 2025. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Julie Finlay, Jennifer Tackaberry, Claire Greenberg and Jennifer were among the 200-plus people to participate in the sold-out Ottawa Pickleball Classic in support of the Heart Institute. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Ottawa lawyer Dave Hollingsworth and his son, Owen, participated in the Ottawa Pickleball Classic, held at the EY Centre on Sunday, May 4, 2025. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Cheryl Kardish-Levitan, broker commercial sales and leasing at CLV Group, was back to play in the Ottawa Pickleball Classic at the EY Centre. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Organizers Jeff Turner, Lianne Laing, Kensy Jones, Jake Levinson, Lindsay Firestone and Madison Tackaberry at the “Day in the Park” Ottawa Pickleball Classic, held at the EY Centre on Sunday, May 4, 2025 Photo by Caroline Phillips