Paris Pickleball Courts Officially Open: In 2022, Sue Hays, President of the Paris Pickleball board of directors, had a vision to establish a dedicated pickleball complex in Paris. This dream was realized on Saturday morning with the grand opening of the Paris new pickleball courts, situated behind the Love Civic Center within the Paris Sports Complex.
“I just had chills realizing this is real, and this has been my dream for more than five years,” Hays said. “To see it come to fruition, there’s no words to describe how special this is. Especially at my age with me being 77, this is just unreal and extremely special to me.”
Facility Features and Future Enhancements
The newly inaugurated facility includes eight state-of-the-art pickleball courts, complete with benches for spectators and protective overhead covers. These thoughtful additions aim to enhance the viewing experience for fans and provide comfort during play. Hays also outlined future improvements, including the installation of additional benches between the courts and further overhead coverage. A new courtyard is also planned to offer extra seating and viewing space for spectators.
“It’s not all about us right now in this moment,” Hays said. “We welcome anyone and everyone who wants to come play this sport. We’re reaching people from all over and introducing them to this great sport. These bleachers are for people to be able to come and watch and just interact with everyone. This is about community and it’s about Paris, Texas and being able to include everyone.”
Project Costs and Community Support
The total investment in the project was approximately $600,000, with significant financial support from local donors who were pivotal in bringing the vision to life. “We had some wonderful donors who stepped up and helped make this a reality for us,” Hays said. “They came through for us and we’re excited to have these courts open so more people can get out here and play.”
The opening of the Paris New Pickleball courts marks a major milestone in the city’s sports infrastructure, reflecting a broader commitment to community engagement and the promotion of pickleball as a popular, accessible sport.
News in Brief: Paris Pickleball Courts Officially Open
Paris Pickleball Courts officially opened to the public on Saturday, marking the realization of a long-held dream by Sue Hays, President of the Paris Pickleball board. Located behind the Love Civic Center in the Paris Sports Complex, the new facility features eight pickleball courts, spectator benches, and overhead covers. Future plans include additional benches, more overhead covers, and a new courtyard for extra seating. Hays expressed her joy, saying, “To see it come to fruition, there’s no words to describe how special this is.” The project, costing approximately $600,000, was supported by generous donors. “We’re excited to have these courts open so more people can get out here and play,” Hays added.
ALSO READ: St. Louis’ New Pickleball Courts at Marquette Park Launched
