It's not the most popular sport, but to its players, pickleball is undoubtedly the most fun.
For the past month, about 20 players from the Bonnyville and Lakeland area have been getting together Wednesdays and Thursdays for a few fun rounds of pickleball – a cross between tennis, ping pong and badminton and played with two paddles and a wiffle ball.
“It's just a fun, social sport that anybody can enjoy,” said local pickleball player Elda Thackeray.
The sport already has a large following in the United States and has been rapidly gaining popularity in Canada, especially with seniors, who make up a large proportion of the players in the Bonnyville area.
Thackeray said she enjoys the pace of the game and the relaxed atmosphere.
“It's a little less aggressive than tennis and at my age, it's an activity I can have fun doing. There is a real social aspect to it.”
With the sport's growing popularity, the local group was looking to continue playing throughout the winter, but had no courts to play on.
That's where the Centennial Centre (C2) stepped in.
The C2's fitness manager Chris McCord said there will be a drop-in pickleball program starting this fall, though a specific date has not been set.
“We'll have it running two days a week, with four courts set up,” she explained.
The C2 will also provide the equipment.
McCord said this is a good way to continue to provide the public with options for fun physical activity.
“I might even go down there and try it out myself.”
The plan is to have the drop-in program started by the beginning of October, she said, adding anyone interested can check the C2's website for further details on dates and times at www.centennialcentre.ca.
