Hammond community center adding pickleball courts
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The Jean Shepherd Community Center is embracing pickleball.
The city of Hammond has announced the center will house 12 indoor courts and partner with a local pickleball group to offer clinics, leagues and tournaments beginning in early November. Other improvements include updated food and drink options.
“We wanted to fill the void for the booming interest in pickleball in Hammond and beyond, and The Jean was the perfect location to house this growing community,” Mayor Tom McDermott said in a news release. “These renovations will complement our Dowling Complex Facilities, offering recreation opportunities year-round. I’m looking forward to welcoming a new group of athletes to the city.”
The scope and cost of the improvements is unclear. Inside INdiana Business has left phone and email messages with city representatives seeking more information.
Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in America, according to a February report from the Sports & Fitness Industry Association. The sport’s popularity has soared more than 200% in three years.
In 2003, the Association of Pickleball Professionals estimated that nearly 1 out of 5 American adults had played pickleball at least once in the past 12 months.
The Hammond Parks and Recreation Department also will add three pickleball courts to Pulaski Park, the news release said.
At the community center, events such as indoor garage sales and flower giveaways will return after the improvements are completed, the city said, along with the use of the walking track.