It is the newest public recreation facility in Weyburn.
The grand opening ceremony for the new pickleball courts in the city, located in the outdoor rink in Jubilee Park behind the Credit Union Spark Centre, will be held Wednesday evening, complete with a barbecue, and a chance for the public to try out the sport.
“We got four courts, and we do have room for two more for the future if we decide to go ahead and come up with an agreement with the city,” explained Bob Maurer. He is the president of the newly formed Pickleball Weyburn. While pickleball has been played in the city for years, a formal organization affiliated with Pickleball Saskatchewan and Pickleball Canada was created this year.
The idea for the courts came when Maurer came back from Arizona, where he spends the winter.
“Pickleball is so huge in Arizona, and big, beautiful courts there,” he explained. We come home in April, and we were playing on the tennis courts in the summer and thought, you know what, we can do better. So, we got together, and I had a meeting with our mayor, and he passed me on to Andrew Crowe (Director of Leisure Services with the City of Weyburn). We made a deal to build some pickleball courts on the outdoor rink.”
The city is providing the venue at no cost, however Pickleball Weyburn needed to come up with the materials to make the courts themselves. Sponsors were lined up, and a crew put together the courts in the spring.
The courts are expected to be quite busy, as well. The sport is the fastest-growing sport in North America, and the new facilities in Weyburn could mean things like tournaments coming to town. As well, Pickleball Weyburn has set court times throughout the week. The club goes from 8 to 11 a.m. seven days a week, as well as Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Outside of those hours, the courts are open to the public.
“Just come play, use the courts, enjoy it,” Maurer invited. “If you really fall in love with it, you become a member of Pickleball Weyburn, and come play with the group.”
The opening ceremonies at 6 p.m. will include a barbecue and a chance for people to try the game. Pickleball Weyburn will be supplying the paddles and balls, so the only thing those who want to try need to bring are running shoes.