Pickleball Expansion Continues in Northern Kentucky: Pickleball continues to gain popularity in Northern Kentucky, attracting players of all ages. The sport, which saw over 48 million adult participants in 2023, has become a favorite among beginners and experienced athletes. Local groups and new facilities are fueling its rapid growth in the region.
A Long-Standing Pickleball Community
One of the longest-running pickleball groups in Northern Kentucky plays at the Five Seasons Sports Club in Crestview Hills. The group meets every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday morning. Barbara Ruh, who manages its social media, highlighted the sport’s physical and social benefits.
“It’s great exercise and really good just mingling with nice people, so the social part is huge.” – (Barbara Ruh)
The group traces its origins back to a trip to The Villages, a large retirement community in Florida, 35 years ago. There, David “Skip” Egbers and Bob Durrett first encountered pickleball and decided to bring it back home.
“So one day, [Egbers] said, ‘Well, why don’t we do this back home?’ We’ll get some people together and start playing. And I said, ‘All right, you get one, and I’ll get one.’ He says, ‘Well, I don’t know any tennis players?’ I said, ‘All right, I’ll get two guys.’ I got two players, and we started playing pickleball at Five Seasons.” – (Durrett)
Initially, the club only allowed them to play outdoors due to noise concerns from tennis players. However, interest grew, and the club now offers 18 indoor courts, along with multiple outdoor courts.
“Now, Five Seasons has 18 courts inside and any number of courts outside.” – (Egbers)
Pickleball’s Origins and Growing Popularity
Pickleball began in the 1960s on Bainbridge Island, Washington. Barney McCallum, Bill Bell, and Joel Pritchard created the game as a backyard pastime for children. Over time, it evolved into a structured sport enjoyed worldwide. “It was a typical, bad weather day on this beach, rainy and wet,” McCallum once shared in an interview with the Pickleball Channel.
“And so, the kids were driving the adults crazy, so Joel [Pritchard] said, ‘Take this paddle and this ball and go up to the badminton court and hit it around.’” – (Barney McCallum)
Despite its origins as a children’s game, pickleball has become popular among adults, particularly seniors. Players cite its easy-to-learn rules and lower physical demands compared to sports like tennis.
“I’m 93, and I’m still playing.” – (Durrett)
“Pickleball is fun,” said Darron Scanlon, CEO of the Players Pickleball Club.
“It’s physical. You enjoy the activity quite a bit. You can do it with your girlfriend, your wife, your spouse, all ages, all genders. You don’t have to be an incredible athlete to play and have fun.” – (Darron Scanlon)
A New Pickleball Facility on the Horizon
Scanlon is developing the Players Pickleball Club in Richwood, Boone County. The facility will offer affordable play options and aims to become a regional hub for tournaments. He envisions the club as a pickleball equivalent of Topgolf, with a pro shop where players can test and purchase equipment.
Scanlon’s plan includes opening outdoor courts later this year, with indoor courts set to follow in 2026.
A Game That Brings People Together
Pickleball’s accessibility and social aspects continue to drive its appeal. Courts have been added to parks and fitness centers throughout Northern Kentucky, making the sport even more available to the community.
“It makes people bond as friends when they get out there. So, it’s not a game that’s going to be too competitive to make you upset, but it’s a lot of fun.” – (Egbers)
News in Brief: Pickleball Expansion Continues in Northern Kentucky
Pickleball is growing in Northern Kentucky, with long-established groups and new facilities expanding the sport’s reach. A local group at Five Seasons Sports Club has played for decades, while the upcoming Players Pickleball Club aims to be a regional hub. The sport’s easy accessibility continues to attract players of all ages.
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