What started with two dozen people has grown to 180 playing pickleball indoors at the SLS Centre.
The season is in full gear and kicked off with a traditional food drive.
Organizer and founder Bill Cooper believes the atmosphere they've created and the sport itself has made it an attractive recreational activity for Cochranites.
"You don't have to be an expert. You can come out and play at your beginner level and move along as you get better into more experienced groups," says Cooper.
"That's what we've always promoted. Each group has a range of players so people can come and play in their comfort zone. We're going into our fifth season, and we probably have 60 per cent of the players that started on day one, so it's continued to grow and grow and grow."
"And it's great for the community. That's why we do our food bank drives. We've done that for the last four years. Last year we collected a cart, and this year we have collected a pallet
Toni Barrie, a member of the Cochrane Food Bank Society, says the generosity of the pickleballers is appreciated.
"Bill has been organizing this for a few years now, and he plans to do more."
The indoor group is in the midst of creating a nonprofit organization that will be called the Cochrane Indoor Pickleball Association.
"We'll have affiliations with other clubs, and it just changes the dynamics and gives us a little bit more credibility than just me being the guy that's done it."
It will also open the door to applying for grants and such.
Cooper will continue to provide introductory lessons. In October alone, he'll be giving lessons to 12 people, and over the years he's trained over 200 people.
Regular play continues until Dec. 27 and resumes in the New Year. Those interested in learning more or being added to the waiting list for January can email cooperab@telus.net.