Broome County Pickleball Court Opening: Pickleball players in western Broome County are celebrating the opening of five new courts at Grippen Community Park in Endicott, New York. The courts opened last week inside the park’s old ice rink building, which was rebuilt as part of a $4.3 million improvement project.
The rink building, first opened in December 1972, stopped making ice after flooding in April 2005 destroyed its refrigeration equipment. To prepare the space for pickleball, crews pulled out more than nine miles of old pipes before pouring a fresh concrete floor.
A Fresh Start After Delays
The park was set to reopen in June, but bad weather caused delays. Although the park is now open, activities will stay limited for the rest of July.
The Broome County government has planned three concerts at the park. The first concert, with the band Beard of Bees, was supposed to happen on June 19. But since work was not done in time, it was moved to September 18.
A ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the project will take place later this month.
Players Share Early Impressions
Many pickleball fans have already tried the new courts and shared positive feedback.
One player said he would like to see mesh installed along the lower fencing to stop balls from rolling away. He also mentioned the courts should be washed often to remove bird droppings.
From July 9 to July 13, the building will close again because the Dick’s Sporting Goods Open golf tournament will be held next door at En-Joie Golf Club.
EVERYONE LOVES PICKLEBALL: At least, all those we observed at the long-awaited courts in Endicott. Watch the video and read this WNBF News story for details: https://t.co/rHrJVq7t6R pic.twitter.com/WsULCyScD1
— Bob Joseph (@BinghamtonNow) July 3, 2025
What It Means for the Community
The new pickleball courts bring more options for people who love the sport in Endicott. They also turn a building that sat unused for years into an active space again. As more events and improvements come, Grippen Community Park is set to become a popular spot for fitness and fun.
News in Brief: Broome County Pickleball Court Opening
Grippen Community Park in Endicott now has five new indoor pickleball courts. The courts opened after a $4.3 million rebuild of the old ice rink. Players have praised the facility, while officials plan concerts and a ribbon-cutting. The park will close briefly during the golf tournament in July.
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