‘We’re excited about this’: Rim Sports Complex, Hampton Rec partner for indoor pickleball

HAMPTON — Active senior citizens in town now have a new indoor venue for recreation with the collaboration of the Hampton Rec and Rim Sports Complex.

According to Beth Dupell, program coordinator for Hampton Rec, on Wednesdays and Fridays, from 10 a.m. to noon, local retirees will be able to enjoy “adult recess” with indoor recreational play at Rim Sports’ facility. Included will be the very popular pickleball play, as well as other activities like corn hole, basketball, soccer, even indoor bocci, walking and more.

“We’re very excited about this,” Dupell said. “It’s not just that this collaboration allows active seniors to get moving during the winter months, but it’s the social component of getting out of the house and meeting new people.”

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Dupell said the impetus for the new collaboration with Rim Sports Complex came from enthusiastic pickleball players who wanted to continue playing during the cold months.

“They wanted to play indoors, but, of course, we don’t have any indoor courts,” Dupell said. “And the use of courts at the schools doesn’t work. We spoke with the selectmen and we reached out to Rim Sports.”

Dupell said the timing does work will since Rim Sports uses its space mostly in the evenings and the town will be using it two mornings a week.

Available, she said, is a three-basketball court-sized area that can be used for pickleball or any number of activities. Although pickleball is a certainty, she said, those who sign up will be able to mold the realm of other activities that take place.

“The sports played will be played on a rec level, not on a competitive sports level,” Dupell said.

The Rec held an open house at Rim Sports Complex on Jan. 5 at Rim’s Winnacunnet Road location. It gave interested 50-somethings a chance to check out the facility.

Dupell said those who are 50 years of age or older must register with Hampton Rec to take part. The registration fee for Hampton residents is $30 for those who’d like to take part in pickleball and the open gym. For those who are only interested in the open gym, Dupell said, the fee is $20.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Rim Sports, Hampton NH Rec partner for indoor pickleball, adult recess