The Church Pickleball Turnaround: Pickleball enthusiasts are a dedicated bunch. For them, it’s more than just a game—it’s a way to stay active, engage socially, and enjoy a friendly competition. Yet, finding a place to play can sometimes be a challenge.
This summer, outdoor pickleball courts were scarce. Wartburg’s facilities were frequently unavailable due to summer sports camps, and Waverly lacked any outdoor pickleball courts altogether. Enter a local church with a solution: an impromptu pickleball ministry.
Randy Krull from Shell Rock and Rod Kuhn from Waverly joined forces to transform the parking lot at First Baptist Church in Waverly into a pickleball haven. “We’ve got people that play pickleball in our church,” Krull explained. “So we were talking one day and basically approached the board and said, ‘Hey, we’ve got a nice parking lot out here, nice concrete.’”
Setting Up the Courts
The church offered three courts this summer, complete with taped lines and portable nets. Play begins Wednesday evenings at 6:30 p.m. and runs until 8:30 or 9 p.m. Despite occasional rainouts, the courts have attracted a solid turnout of about 25 to 30 players each week.
“The church and some trees provide the courts with some shade in the evening,” Krull noted, which has been especially appreciated during hot summer days. The three courts cater to various skill levels: beginner, intermediate, and experienced.
Community Impact
Experienced players, including Kuhn, have lent their expertise to setting up the courts and providing guidance to newcomers. The church has also invested in equipment, including paddles, to ensure that everyone can participate. “Everybody’s been really good about teaching people how to play pickleball,” Krull said.
For those who are more seasoned, the outdoor play offers a new challenge. “Those people are telling us it’s totally different, outside versus inside,” Krull said. “The ball bounces differently on the concrete versus on the gym floor.”
Looking Ahead
As the summer wraps up, the church will host a final event on August 28, featuring brats and hamburgers. “We’ll kind of wrap up for the summer,” Krull said. However, the pickleball ministry isn’t ending permanently. Plans are already in place for next spring, including painting permanent lines on the parking lot. “Getting to know people in the community, building friendships, it’s been a lot of fun,” Krull concluded.
News in Brief: The Church Pickleball Turnaround
The First Baptist Church in Waverly has provided a crucial pickleball space this summer. Amidst a shortage of courts in the area, the church transformed its parking lot into three playable courts. Games occur Wednesday evenings, attracting around 25 to 30 players each week. With plans to paint permanent lines for next spring, the church’s pickleball initiative has been a community hit, blending sport and social interaction.
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