By Isabella Zarate
There’s a new game in St. Joseph.
Pickleball is a recreational sport which is comparable to a mixture of sports such as tennis, table tennis, and badminton. The sport is played using a paddle and a plastic ball. As for the court itself, it is laid out similar to a tennis court – two sides divided by a short net.
“Community demand is really what pushed this along” said Village Administrator, Joe Hackney. “There is an element in the community that enjoys pickleball, and the Board wanted to meet this demand.”
The Village of St. Joseph was approached by Lyle Hawkey at a board meeting in June of 2020. That request prompted two courts located at Woodward Family Park Sports Complex. The cost to the Village was around $7,000.
According to Hackney “It offers a highly desirable recreational activity for our citizens to enjoy.” The activity also gives the members of the community the chance to go out and be active while doing something fun.
The courts are now “up and going” said Assistant Public Works Director, Luke Fisher. Community members are encouraged to “use those courts as much as possible,” Fisher continued.
That being said, if you are wanting to play some pickleball or even if you are simply curious to see what the new courts look like, grab some friends or family and head over to Woodward Family Park and don’t forget your paddles!
