BY NATE KING
Salina Post
One of the fastest growing sports in the country, pickleball, is officially coming to Salina Parks and Recreation.
At their meeting Monday, City commissioners approved an entirely privately funded $444,762 project to place permanent pickleball court overlays at Oakdale park.
According to USA Pickleball, pickleball can be played as a singles or doubles game and it is easy to quickly learn the basic rules of the sport. No special apparel or equipment is needed, except for a ball, net, racket and place to play.
Jeff Hammond, Salina Parks and Recreation director, spoke during the meeting about the national rise in pickleball popularity.
" 2023 marks the 58th anniversary of pickleball which was invented in the United States in 1965. Approximately 130 new locations are appearing each month to play pickleball," Hammond said. "Pickleball grew in 2021 to 4.8 million players."
Pickleball is not new to Salina. Salina Parks and Recreation Director, Jeff Hammond said temporary courts have been put up at Oakdale Park.
"The South courts are currently being used by the Salina Pickleball group and outlines are painted onto the courts, creating four pickleball areas and additional nets," Hammond said.
Seeking a more permanent way to play this beloved sport, a group of donors approached Salina Parks and Recreation with the proposal of fully funding the pickleball court project at Oakdale Park.
Hammond said city staff worked to obtain quotes for overlaying the new courts on the existing south tennis court slab. He also noted that the north courts will be demolished.
"The north tennis courts have been identified for demolition, which would allow for the future use of the Smoky Hill River Festival."
Hammond added that the project would include new pickleball posts, nets, court fencing and perimeter fencing.
Commissioner Karl Ryan said he is excited to see this addition to Oakdale Park.
"It is a great sport, I play it and it is growing fast," Ryan said. " I think there will be plenty of people to appreciate this facility."
Mayor Mike Hoppock said since being elected to the commission six years ago, the most frequently asked question he gets is, "When are we going to get pickleball?"
"When I look at the parks master plan and it [pickleball courts] were that low on the list because six years to be out of the commission, I think it's the most asked question I get."
The commissioners voted 4-0 in favor of awarding the bid and they expressed their thanks for both the public's support in this sport and the group of anonymous donors for their generous donation.
Hammond said the new pickleball courts will be ready by the end of the year.