Penticton’s newest pickleball courts officially open this weekend

PENTICTON – One of Penticton’s fastest growing sports will celebrate the completion of its newest facility this Saturday.

Penticton Pickleball Association members will gather with city councillors for Saturday’s opening ceremony and ribbon cutting at the city’s newest pickleball courts, located at the Robinson Garden South Main Drop-In Centre, 2965 Main Street.

The pickleball club expects to see a large turnout for Saturday, April 30 ceremonies, with all four courts in full session starting at noon. The opening ceremony takes place from 12:30 p.m. to 1 p.m. after which the courts will be closed to general member play while club representatives play council and municipal employees for the next hour.

The fastest growing sport in B.C., and North America, pickleball has become particularly popular with the 55-plus community in Penticton, resulting in an initiative by the city to build designated facilities to promote a healthy and active lifestyle for seniors.

Penticton Pickleball president Mark Tamblyn reports membership in the group has jumped from 47 to 112 members in the past three weeks alone, and numbers continue to climb.

Penticton’s four new courts were funded by the city who put $59,000 into the courts, along with the Southern Interior Local Government Association who provided a further $10,000.

New Horizons for Seniors provided an additional $25,000.

The courts are available to the general public, not just Pickleball Club. Bookings are posted at the courts.

For more information on joint the club, visit their website.

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