New pickleball courts move forward in Gallatin, Hendersonville to address growing need
Gallatin and Hendersonville are planning to install new pickleball courts to keep up with resident demands, officials say.
Gallatin is adding six courts, while Hendersonville hasn't yet landed on an exact number.
Pickleball has been the fastest-growing sport in the U.S. over the two-year period of 2019 to 2021 with total participation growing 39.3%, according to The Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA).
Pickleball is played with a paddle and a plastic balls with elements of tennis, ping-pong and badminton and has been especially popular with older age groups.
Gallatin
More than 100 people play pickleball every day in Gallatin. The sport began on makeshift courts created and striped in the Civic Center gymnasium.
Temporary courts expanded to a portion of the park’s tennis complex, Gallatin Parks and Recreation Department Assistant Director Robby Ray.
The new pickleball courts were budgeted at a $60,000 cost.
The courts don’t have lights.
Hendersonville
Mayor Jamie Clary has proposed more than $900,000 in next year’s fiscal budget work at Memorial Park that would include 4-8 new pickleball courts.
Parking expansion, lighting, fencing and walkways are also part of the proposal and it will ultimately impact the number of courts, Clary said.
Parking would be expanded in back of the tennis courts at Memorial Park and the pickleball courts would go on what is now the lacrosse field, Hendersonville Parks Director Andy Gilley said.
A Hendersonville Pickleball Facebook group has 360 members.
Hendersonville now allows tennis courts at Memorial Park to be restriped and used for pickleball on Sundays and some other days, depending on the time of year and when schools need the courts.
Hendersonville resident and player Steve Black said pickleball advocates are pushing for 6-8 courts because of the demand.
There are often wait times to secure courts now.
Pickleball is known for its popularity with seniors, but Black said there has been an increase in younger ages playing as well.
“There is no question a segment of our population has asked for it,” Gilley said.
The lacrosse field is expected to be relocated to Volunteer Park if the pickleball courts are approved, Gilley said.
The city also needs to address the growing popularity of flag football, with about 700 players and one field, Gilley said. A turf athletic field could help the city compete to draw tournaments in several youth sports.
Reach Andy Humbles at ahumbles@tennessean.com or 615-726-5939 and on Twitter @ AndyHumbles.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Will Hendersonville follow Gallatin in pickleball craze
