A place is deserving of 5 stars when it consistently meets or exceeds high standards in its…read moreproducts quality (food taste/presentation/freshness, etc) and customer service. I would also rate it 5 stars when I can recommend the place wholeheartedly, even after a first visit. For example, a restaurant that was able to deliver a love at first sight experience would be a very memorable meal where we were wow'ed by its choice of ingredients, food taste, or food presentation plus it provided excellent service. And in this case, I had been consistently impressed by Rackets & Runners' product selection and their customer service on many repeat visits PLUS I can vouch for their 5 stars rating even from my first initial visit. No sympathy stars were granted here, this is truly a place deserving of solid 5 stars for the shoppers seeking expert knowledge and patient service on rackets and runners. Good selection of tennis rackets, pickleball rackets and running shoes. I didn't look for badminton rackets here nor did I seek help on other racket sports like ping pong but they have excellent service, even over the phone, so feel free to call their store before dropping by if you have questions about what sporting goods or brands they carry. I was referred by friends to come here to rent tennis and pickleball rackets before committing to a high end racket purchase and their demo program was great! I appreciated the staff knowledge and paying a small fee to rent an expensive racket for playing on the court was helpful. Trying demo racquets made a huge difference for me in figuring out my playing style and racket preferences. Also, the staff advised me on subtle differences in various brands and were not pushy in making a sale. The staff here are helpful and patient so I enjoyed shopping here when I am looking for expert knowledge for a racket that will last me for years. In short, their expert product knowledge and genuine customer service plus helpful attitude truly sets them apart. Finally, they do carry discounts and clearance deals on rackets & runners so you could score a bargain but consider that as a bonus. Also, I would opt to buy sporting goods such as tennis balls, pickleball racket bags or ping pong rackets online or at chain sports store. Prob easy to find cheaper deals online on Amazon or sale prices on brands not carried at this store but no outlet stores or online retailers can offer such a good demo racket program like them. So I recommend this store for shoppers who would gain benefits from their demo program or for shoppers wanting to try out a racket to deem if it is the best fit. IMO, investing in a good racket is great value for improving your game in the long run. (Yup, let's end review with a play on words lol) Ps. They organize a run club for a membership fee, scan QR code in photo if interested.

This place has everything you need related to rackets and runners. The staff is friendly and super…read moreknowledgeable in their products. They are outstanding on giving everyone full customer service and can help you find what you are looking for. I came here to buy sunglasses as well as a pair of court shoes. The price is on the steeper side, but I can't complain since they are great shoes. This place also strings rackets. Bonus that there are ample free street parking.

There be sharks in these here parts. If you're a Sunday player, lobbing balls over the fence -- or…read moreworse, into the court beside you -- it's probably best that you forget about attempting to play with the big boys and stick to the four free courts located just beside the Lost Lagoon. Unlike the 17 other courts in Stanley Park, that stretch is a safe place for beginners. Stanley Park Tennis Courts (the free ones, anyhow) are made up of the strangest and most peculiar characters in Vancouver. It's the best of Seinfeld all in one place. Amateur misfits who could have, in some parallel universe, been pro; but for reasons that are more than likely to do with their entirely strange demeanor, are relegated to playing in the Stanley Park courts. These people are intense. Playing 5, 6, 7 hours a day, even in the winter, there's no such thing as stopping in their world. It's drill after drill, doubles, singles, drill. That's how they roll. Entertaining, to be sure, but not a place you'd ever find me attempting my sad version of the game. Lucky for those of us who enjoy the game but can't really play, there's plenty of seating around the courts (just watch for the heron nesting season. Those birds be cray) for us and the old men who sit as long as the crazy people play; and once a year there's the Stanley Park Open, which is allegedly one of the biggest amateur tennis tournaments in North America. So for the people who can play, or have potential to play better than they have been, Stanley Park is a great place to hit. It's just like any club (and I'm not talking about the *actual* tennis club here), you have to earn your stripes to be accepted.

These tennis-courts in the heart of the West End are on the edge of Stanley Park and overlook the…read moreLost Lagoon. They're free and there is always someone around who will most likely partner up with you. There are at least seven outdoor courts to choose from. Parking isn't that easy, but there are 2 hour and pay spots around. The best part? The courts are right beside a pitch-and-putt and a lawn-bowling area.

Very convenient as its few minutes off hwy 99 and Steveston hwy. With 4 well lite indoor courts…read more I came in slightly off hours for the first time and there seems to be a variety of other services that is available such as physio, gym, tennis lessons etc... There are showers that are available too. Tips: if you are sensitive to be hangry or a vegan, eat before coming in. The ventilation from the keg restaurant can smell like fried onions and steak.

From the owner: Vancouver International Tennis Academy is the pioneer international tennis academy on the Canadian…read morewest coast, providing a training base for high performance athletes to maximize potential, on and off the court.

NVTC layout needs to be duplicated. Over the years, playing…read moreat many different tennis courts (indoor and out), the layout of the floor plan is just excellent. Viewing area is comfortable esp pre/post matches, the halls/washroom is in the center with courts surrounding. Parking area wraps around the center. The lighting is the least blinding when looking up when tossing ball for service and while smashing. Truly a gem in the lower mainland.

Perfect spot for some tennis in the winter. Or any rainy day. Court surface is excellent with…read moreheaters on low setting, hanging right above the baselines. Changing room is reasonably clean; front desk staff efficient and friendly. Paid $38 for 1.5 hours on a weeknight, which isn't exactly cheap, but it's the next best thing to a private club.

Nice place! Set back off the road. I suggest having dinner on the patio. Very nice views especially…read moreas the sun sets. The menu had a few vegetarian options and the Green Goddess Buddha Bowl was tasty! They had a nice little selection of beer on tap (I didn't look at the wine list). The washrooms were nice and clean. There appear to be lots of activities as demonstrated by posts on the bulletin boards. If I lived in the area I would inquire about joining!

We are lucky enough to have friends who are members invite us to brunch here. The view of the water…read moreand mountains was beautiful, and the food was surprisingly good! THE WAIT: There was no wait on a Saturday at 12pm. They were somewhat busy. Note if you have kids/babies, you can only eat at the area further from the windows, and there is no table service (except when they bring out your food). NOTE: For the nursing moms out there, this is a great Family Room on the lowest level! It has a view of the water and has a door that opens out onto their deck. There is a sink, fridge, water, restrooms, showers, a Pack n Play, toys, and a comfy sofa. THE FOOD: BENNIES * Eggs Diablo ($13.50) - 4.5 stars The potatoes were great, soft with a crisped edge. The sausage was spicy, just enough without being painful! Only complaints are this was pretty oily, which really drenched the spinach, and the yolks weren't runny (though soft). * Eggs Pacifica ($14.50) - 4 stars Tried a few bites, also great! Potatoes were much more crisp than in the Eggs Diablo.

Ok forget my previous review - Coach Howie is great ! He would definitely be my go-to if I want to…read morebe hitting at a higher level in the future . Personally I think my basic groundstrokes are quite established , it's just that my cardio's not keeping up at the moment so more work's needed on that front ( too much eating perhaps :D ) . Anyway I received nothing but good advice and helpful suggestions from a veteran who has almost 40 years of coaching experience and was previously one of the top 10 players in BC . Yes one can easily spend hundreds or more on equipment and stuff alone but I'd highly recommend you splurge on lessons instead . You won't regret it .

Yay! They have new staff that are trained! ... since the last time I was here in 2019. Good job…read moremanagement! My review is just on the indoor bubble courts, lighting and cleanliness. All passable for Richmond Public Standards. Compared to the old bubble, it is now much brighter, air is less dusty, cleaner floors and the entrance to the bubble is much wider and you are not squeezed in hugging your bag at the revolving door. I haven't taken classes here before, but to the previous reviewer... 4 classes at $80 for a group class is value. Learning tennis fundamentals takes years and if one was more aggressive and adamant, I'd suggest one take private lessons and find people to practice with. A beginner course is an intro class and exposes one to the sport, not a crash course. A crash course for any level would be in the thousands.

It's just two tennis courts. Wow. I never would have noticed this, if local people hadn't brought…read moreme here. It really is just two tennis courts, with a bench by the net of each. The layout is nice! We were there around 11am, and 3 of the 4 half-courts were nicely shaded by the large trees on the east side. The fence is regular height, so be careful not to hit your ball into the bushes outside!

Last two times I came here it was for a New Year's Eve party. This time we came for dinner at the…read moreAcres restaurant. I wasn't very hungry so I just ordered a miso soup and the Avocado Temaki which came with two Avocado cones. It was a simple dish but nicely done. The family seemed happy with their food for the most part. Arctic Char looked very appealing. There was one dessert that didn't quite make the grade. I didn't try it myself but I heard multiple family members saying that the texture of the dessert was kinda weird and not very enjoyable. A dish got broken and the staff were very quick to clean up the mess and apologize for the incident. They also removed the dessert in question from the bill. Staff here are friendly, efficient and very polite. Two thumbs up for the customer service. Service: Great Parking: Upper parking lot if you're a member; lower parking lot if you're a guest.

Only commenting on the food and drinks. They have the best…read moresalads, it's the fluffiest lettuce/greens I've ever had in Vancouver. Their breakfast cookie is 11/10, amongst a few other pastries that were memorable. Pasta and chicken dishes was very good also, I really like how it's simple but seasoned. Majority of staff was polite and others just minded their own business.

I think this is one of the most reasonable tennis centers in the lower mainland based on price and…read morecourt availability. The courts aren't nice (slanted, old, should be resurfaced). But there aren't many completely public, large tennis facilities in Metro Vancouver. They also take the bubble off during summer so it's great if you live nearby and have membership here - you get the perks of lighted courts. So your membership doesn't go to waste for those few months. There tend to be a decent amount of intermediate to advanced players here. Compared to UBC Tennis Center (another public facility), the players here are much better players and know what they're doing. It's also much better priced, and they try to sell you less hard on stuff than People's Court. The locker rooms are alright, they do their job but could be cleaner. It's in a great, convenient area. If I lived in metro Vancouver, I'd definitely join or play here, just for the amount of players and courts.