By: Kye Kocher
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (UATV)- Now that spring has begun, many people are trying to find new ways to get active and enjoy the nice weather. Many students are choosing to get active by joining in on the recent craze for pickleball.
According to the Association of Pickleball Professionals, there are 36.5 million pickleball players in the United States.
University of Arkansas student, Sofia Sabal started playing pickleball when she started a new job last fall, and what she did not know about the game was that it would bring her closer to her co-workers.
“We’d just like hang out a little longer, get to know each other better, and just like get our workout on you know,” Sabal said.
According to Sabal, it is not just a good way to network with friends, but it is something that everyone can participate in.
“I’m not the most athletic person, but i feel like you don’t have to be super athletic to play this game. Like you can still have a good time and not feel like you’re terrible,” Sabal said.
On a sunny day, you will find the courts at Wilson Park full of bouncing balls, and a lot of laughs.
The city of Fayetteville’s Recreational Superintendent, Lee Farmer said that the demand for more pickleball courts is needed, and that he gets calls about this almost daily.
“We just don’t have dedicated pickleball courts in our park system, so by hearing input from our community members, the decision was made to convert these courts into pickleball facilities for our community,” Farmer said.
If you visit Wilson Park right now, you will find the “makeshift” pickleball courts across from one of the tennis courts. Lee said that the city plans to convert that area into six courts, replace the concrete, and add lots of lighting to make the area well-lit in the evenings.
Lee says the city plans to start construction on the new courts in the summer of 2023.