Hastings Pickleball Club Wants Indoor Courts: In a significant development for the Hastings pickleball community, the Hastings Pickleball Club is seeking increased indoor facilities to accommodate the sport’s growing popularity. The club plans to present their case to the Hastings City Council on October 24.
Current Facilities and Limitations
Bill Bliefernich, vice president of the Hastings Pickleball Club, highlighted the need for dedicated indoor pickleball courts. While the Hastings Parks and Recreation Department introduced the game to the area in 2017, the current facilities are shared with tennis and volleyball. The Community Center at 2015 W. Third St. features three lined pickleball courts, while six additional courts were added at Carter Park in 2021. Despite these efforts, Bliefernich noted that the outdoor courts are limited by weather conditions.
“We love to play outside,” Bliefernich said. “But we’ve only got six to eight months of availability, based on weather.”
Challenges and Requests
The Hastings Family YMCA offers eight pickleball court markings on its basketball courts, but competition for these spaces remains high. Brenda Breckner-Catlett, president of the Hastings Pickleball Club, emphasized the need for a dedicated indoor facility with at least six courts, ideally more for future expansion. Such facilities could also host tournaments, which would contribute economically to the city.
Bliefernich underscored the benefits of indoor facilities: “It would be a great addition to our city.”
Growing Popularity and Social Impact
Bliefernich believes pickleball’s rapid growth is due to its simplicity and minimal equipment requirements. The sport has become a major cardiovascular and social activity, with approximately 40 million players in the U.S. last year. He is optimistic about its future inclusion in the Olympics.
“It’s not an Olympic sport yet, but it will be,” he said.
On a personal note, the club recently held a picnic in memory of Dr. Frederick “Fred” Catlett, a devoted pickleball enthusiast and long-time physician. Breckner-Catlett expressed gratitude for the support from fellow members.
“Pickleball is like a family,” she said.
News in Brief: Hastings Pickleball Club Wants Indoor Courts
The Hastings Pickleball Club is advocating for more indoor pickleball courts at the October 24 city council meeting. Currently, the Community Center and Carter Park offer outdoor courts, but weather limits play. The YMCA has marked courts on its basketball courts, but demand exceeds availability. The club seeks a dedicated indoor facility with at least six courts to support growth and host tournaments, which could benefit the city economically. The sport’s popularity continues to rise, with 40 million players in the U.S., and the club recently commemorated Dr. Frederick “Fred” Catlett, a key supporter.
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