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Elgin residents have been given more opportunities to pick up their paddles, with the city’s recreation center adding additional days and courts for its pickleball players.
Dubbed the fastest-growing sport in the United States by the Sports Fitness Industry Association for 2022 and 2023, pickleball is estimated to have over 4.8 million players nationwide.
Similar to tennis, the court-based sport can be played in singles or doubles, utilizing a hollow plastic ball with its own set of rules.
Many attribute pickleballs growing popularity to its short learning curve, ease of access, light physical demand and all-ages social environment.
“It’s all over now,” said Liz Vance, a weekly attendee. “Anybody whose played tennis, volleyball, ping-pong, they can play pickleball.”
After its first year in the rec center, the space has given its athletes three days to play. Three courts fill the gym, using rubber boundary placements, separated for beginner, intermediate and expert levels.
Players have broached the topic of more permanent paint boundary lines with the city council, but the project will take some time. Attendees are happy just to have a place to play, particularly one inside and away from the heat, they said.
It’s not uncommon for there to be around twenty players during a session, but even on a slower day, the courts have more than enough players to fill teams for each experience level.
“It’s easy to learn and very social,” said young athlete Marvel Okafor, “Old and young, there’s not too much of an advantage.”
Okafor used to play tennis but has been coming for pickleball every week since June. Most players have been steadfast with their attendance, making it a part of their exercise routine.
Supporting the growing sport, Elgin’s recreation center has wooden paddles ready for any newcomers. Although, other attendees often bring extra, higher-grade graphite paddles to loan out as well.
National interest in pickleball has skyrocketed in recent years, with the World Pickleball Tour coming to Dallas this past week. Winners of the amateur circuit will go on to compete in the series invitational for a purse of $175,000.
Elgin residents have made it clear that they are invested in the sport. Players urge anyone interested to join in for a session, Monday, Wednesday or Friday from 10 to 12 p.m. at the Elgin Recreation Center.
