Coleman Family Center Offers Pickleball Sessions: Pickleball enthusiasts in northwestern Midland County will soon enjoy evening play at the Coleman Family Center. Starting February 5, the center will add night pickleball sessions every Wednesday from 5:30 to 7 p.m., allowing players to join after work.
Expanding Access to Pickleball
Currently, the Coleman Family Center offers indoor pickleball on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 8 to 10 a.m. and noon to 2 p.m. The addition of evening hours aims to attract teachers and working parents who cannot attend during the day.
“We are hoping that having an evening would catch some of the teachers and the working parents that want to play, but they can’t come to the 8 to 10 a.m.” – (Director of Operations Kari Wedge)
The family center features two pickleball courts available on a first-come, first-served basis. Players can check the Team Reach app to see when others will be playing. This feature allows singles to find potential partners, enhancing the community experience.
“Pickleball has taken off in Coleman. (With the app), anybody who is looking to play can check the calendar and see what times we have available and then they can note that they are going to come and play. So say you’re a single – you don’t have anyone to play with – you can look and see there’s going to be three people there, so you know you would have a partner. It doesn’t reserve your spot necessarily, it just lets other pickleball players know that you’re going to be there.” – (Kari Wedge)
Encouraging Community Engagement
Wedge hopes the new evening hours will increase attendance at the center. Currently, around 10 to 12 players use the courts during peak morning times.
“We don’t have anywhere else to play, especially indoors, except maybe the Beaverton Activity Center. Everywhere else is outside, other than at the community center or at the tennis center.” – (Kari Wedge)
Membership at the Coleman Family Center costs $15 per month for seniors and $21 for adults. Non-members pay a $5 fee to use the courts. The family center also offers equipment for those interested in trying pickleball without their gear.
If evening sessions prove popular, Wedge plans to add another night of play. She has also initiated a cornhole league on Saturday nights to provide more social opportunities for local residents.
“We want to bring these activities to the community because in a little town there is not as much to do. It’s just finding things for people that live in Coleman and our surrounding areas to just come and have something fun to do, get out of the house and not feel like they have to drive all the way to Midland.” – (Kari Wedge)
The addition of evening pickleball sessions at the Coleman Family Center provides an excellent opportunity for local residents to engage in a fun and healthy activity after work. With plans for expansion based on popularity, the center aims to strengthen the pickleball community and offer more recreational options.
News in Brief: Coleman Family Center Offers Pickleball Sessions
Coleman Family Center will offer evening pickleball sessions starting February 5, 2025, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. This new schedule aims to attract working players and increase participation in the sport.
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