The Rise of Pickleball in Local Towns: According to the latest numbers from the 2023 APP Pickleball Participation report, courtesy of a study by YouGov, a whopping 14% of Americans have played pickleball at least once in the last year. Even more staggering, over 8.5 million people have played pickleball eight times or more. This surge in popularity has towns like Bronson, Lawton, and Kingsley racing to install their pickleball courts and join the fun.
Bronson Gets in the Game
In Bronson, Mayor Jason Garnand and Councilman Chad Merchant presented two quotes to the Bronson City Council, each around $33,000, to construct brand-new pickleball courts. The council discussed utilizing the remaining American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, supplemented by the General Fund.
WIATEL stepped up with monetary support, securing naming rights for the project. After some back-and-forth, the Council voted to hold a public hearing on amending the budget for $33,000 during their regular meeting on October 8, 2024.
This pickleball project moved quickly after that. Concrete was poured, and a fresh rubberized surface was laid down. The only task left is adding fencing. Mayor Jason Garnand and Councilman Chad Merchant have already taken the courts for a spin, declaring pickleball a blast. For Bronsonites itching to play, remember to bring paddles and balls to the new WIATEL Pickleball Court in Bronson’s City Park.
Kingsley’s Grand Plans
Over in Kingsley, the town is making strides with a generous $10,000 grant from the Community Foundation of Greater Plymouth County. This funding will help construct a pickleball court, and a committee of local pickleball fans is forming to organize fundraising efforts. The goal is to have the project completed by spring of 2025.
Plans include resurfacing the existing tennis courts in Kingsley’s City Park—one half will be lined for pickleball, while the other half will remain a tennis court. They’re even planning to utilize the current tennis nets, which are just a little bit higher than official pickleball nets, so players should expect a unique experience.
Lawton’s Pickleball Courts
Lawton has just opened their newly completed pickleball courts, made possible by a collaboration between the City, WIATEL, and Lawton-Bronson School. This $56,000 project features one permanent pickleball court, an open-air shelter with benches and picnic tables, and a second court laid out on the existing basketball court. The school provided the land, while WIATEL and the City of Lawton shared the costs.
Though the basketball court was already there, it got a makeover with a cleaned-up cement surface, a new youth basketball hoop, and fresh hoops at both ends. Converting the court to pickleball is as easy as putting up the net, and new pickleball court lines have been painted on the basketball court.
Completed a few months ago, the facility has already seen significant use from junior high and high school students. Lawton also added a new 4-square court and hopes to add a permanent cornhole court in the future.
A Sport on the Rise
Pickleball, a delightful mix of tennis, badminton, and ping pong, was created back in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, Washington, by three fathers looking to entertain their bored kids with a fun new activity. The sport gained traction over the years, with the villages in Florida boasting more than 220 pickleball courts.
Then, the COVID-19 pandemic hit, and pickleball saw an unexpected surge. As traditional team sports were sidelined, people flocked to this paddle sport for a socially distanced way to get outdoors and stay active.
Experts attribute the sport’s rapid rise to a few key factors: its simplicity, low cost, and social nature. With just a few lessons, anyone can learn to play, and tournaments are available at various competitive levels.
The cost of entry is more affordable compared to sports like tennis or golf; no fancy country club membership is required, and a decent paddle can be found for $100 to $200. Pickleball also fosters social connections, providing an avenue for people of all ages to make new friends.
While older generations dominate the sport, younger players are increasingly picking up paddles. Lawton’s City Clerk, Tricia Jernberg, highlights that their courts are buzzing with junior high and high school students enjoying the game.
News in Brief: The Rise of Pickleball in Local Towns
The towns of Bronson, Lawton, and Kingsley are embracing the pickleball craze, with recent developments including the installation of new courts and funding support. Bronson is finalizing its WIATEL Pickleball Court, Kingsley is working towards resurfacing existing tennis courts for pickleball play, and Lawton has recently completed its courts, combining basketball and pickleball facilities. This surge in interest reflects a nationwide trend, as pickleball becomes a go-to sport for socializing and fitness.
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