Pickleball Facilities at St. Mary’s Sports Complex: St. Mary’s County residents demonstrated their love for pickleball during a public meeting on January 29 about a proposed sports complex. Nearly half of the 29 speakers urged county officials to include more pickleball facilities in the plans.
Plans for a New Sports Complex
The county and the Maryland Stadium Authority are working together to develop a 36-acre sports complex off St. Andrew’s Church Road in California, Maryland.
This complex is expected to feature up to 10 tournament-quality fields, as well as an indoor facility with multiple courts. SCOOP Pickleball Founder and President Alex Smolen emphasized the need for more courts.
“There are no courts that have more than six courts in one location. We don’t have the courts to do leagues, clinics, things like that. There’s a lot of people in this room who this weekend traveled about two hours [to play].” – (Alex Smolen)
Community Support for Pickleball
Curry Werkheiser, a resident and assistant principal at Thomas Stone High School, praised the sport’s inclusivity.
“I have never seen in any sport that I have ever played 60- and 70-year-old people dominating over younger people. Pickleball offers an opportunity for men and women, boys and girls to play. I’ve never seen anything like it.” – (Curry Werkheiser)
The meeting served as a platform for residents to voice their opinions on the proposed amenities. While pickleball players made a strong case for their sport, other sports enthusiasts also shared their requests. A local soccer coach noted the need for an outdoor futsal court, and others called for ice surfaces for figure skating and ice hockey.
Impact on Local Sports Development
As the county moves forward with the development of the sports complex, the strong demand for pickleball facilities indicates the sport’s growing popularity. The outcome of this meeting could shape the future of pickleball and other sports in St. Mary’s County.
News in Brief: Pickleball Facilities at St. Mary’s Sports Complex
The meeting highlighted the enthusiasm for pickleball among St. Mary’s County residents. Speakers called for more courts in the proposed sports complex, showcasing the sport’s inclusive nature and popularity within the community. The future of pickleball facilities in the area now depends on the complex’s development plans.
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