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RECREATION Options expand for local pickleball players Comment By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune Posted Aug. 19, 2015 at 12:01 AM Updated Aug 20, 2015 at 11:11 AM By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune Posted Aug. 19, 2015 at 12:01 AM Updated Aug 20, 2015 at 11:11 AM » Social News Pickleball players have eight new courts in Medford and four in Central Point, while Ashland’s Tennis and Fitness Club is exploring the possibility of including the sport at its indoor facility. Billed as America’s fastest-growing sport, pickleball is a cross between tennis, racquetball and badminton and is played with a plastic, perforated ball and a paddle. Courts at Fichtner-Mainwaring Park opened in May, providing a second venue in Medford. Pickleball has been played at Santo Community Center almost since it opened in January 2010, said Rich Rosenthal, Medford Parks and Recreation assistant director. “Drop-ins at the Santo Center had clambered for quite some time for outdoor venues,” said Rosenthal. “When it became time to resurface Fichtner, the pickleball courts were installed on two of the eight tennis courts.” There’s still pickleball at Santo on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday mornings with a $2 fee. Central Point’s courts opened in May on a tennis court at Don Jones Park. Four pickleball courts can be created on one doubles tennis court by striping. Scheduled games in Central Point are held Tuesday and Thursday evenings; Wednesday, Friday and Saturday mornings; and Sunday at noon. Both Medford and Central Point parks departments offer group lessons for beginners and more advance players. Information can be found on their websites. Ashland Tennis and Fitness Club is considering adding the sport, said Kelly Baker, tennis director. Most outdoor locations have hours designated for pickleball, but players also can get groups together and use the sites at other times. Nets and other equipment for pickleball are usually kept in locked boxes or huts. Players can contact the appropriate organization to gain access to the equipment. Rogue Valley Country Club’s indoor tennis center got into the pickleball game in 2011. Members can play anytime with drop-in sessions Monday, Tuesday and Thursday evenings for $3. Around the nation, tennis clubs are finding that pickleball can be a means to financial stability, said Joel Heller, who gives group lessons through city programs and private lessons. Heller said about three years ago he figured he could fill a niche in the valley as a pickleball pro. Heller said he knows of four private pickleball courts at residences or businesses. Bend recently built 16 dedicated pickleball courts, and most new condominium projects in Florida and Arizona include them, he said. “It’s a wonderful thing for people who want to play recreationally and for those who want to move on to have a competitive athletic experience,” said Heller. Ashland and Talent have outdoor pickleball on tennis courts. In Talent, play is held on four courts at Chuck Roberts Park Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings. Four courts are marked off at Lithia Park in Ashland, and designated times include Wednesday mornings and Friday and Sunday evenings. Instruction for beginners is offered Wednesday mornings by Marty Burns, who introduced the sport to the valley and has probably coached most of the current players, Heller said. “Marty kept trying to get it going,” said Heller. “There’d be five or six people. At a certain point it hit a tipping point and took off like wildfire.” On a recent Saturday in Talent, all four courts were busy and players were waiting. The same thing happened in Ashland on a Wednesday morning. Ashland’s YMCA offers Sunday afternoon pickleball on three courts during the summer. When there is less demand for court time after school resumes, the Y offers additional days. Two tennis courts at Holmes Park in Medford are tentatively set for resurfacing next year, said Rosenthal, who anticipates that pickleball striping will be added. Meanwhile Fichtner-Mainwaring is used regularly. “I drive by and … it’s fantastic to see the facility being used,” said Rosenthal. “People are enjoying it as far as I can tell.” Tony Boom is a freelance writer living in Ashland. Reach him at [email protected]. By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune Posted Aug. 19, 2015 at 12:01 AM Updated Aug 20, 2015 at 11:11 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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