New pickleball facility is now open on Morton Avenue

Heather Sevigny
·2 min read

CAMBRIDGE −The Hilltop Pickleball Facility, a new sports complex in Cambridge, held a soft opening on Dec. 19, in hopes of introducing more people to the fastest-growing sport in the United States.

Four new pickleball courts are available to reserve at the Hilltop Pickleball Facility located at 1501 Morton Ave. in Cambridge.
Four new pickleball courts are available to reserve at the Hilltop Pickleball Facility located at 1501 Morton Ave. in Cambridge.

The court was the brainchild of local pickleball professional and Salvation Army Program Director Jaquelyn Bradshaw and Salvation Army Captains Ed and Candy McMillen. The facility has been in the works since October of 2022, but due to challenges in securing the lease it took a bit longer than expected to get up and running. All aspects of the lease had to get both district and national approval from the Salvation Army Organization.

Located in the old COPAC building at 1501 Morton Ave., the clean, large facility has undergone quite a transformation quickly. After having a professional cleaning service come in and new lighting installed, the job of painting the courts became a reality.

Housed in the old COPAC building on Morton Avenue, the Hilltop Pickleball Facility is accessed by turning onto Elm Street off of Orme Avenue and Morton Avenue.
Housed in the old COPAC building on Morton Avenue, the Hilltop Pickleball Facility is accessed by turning onto Elm Street off of Orme Avenue and Morton Avenue.

"It was going to be about $10,000 per court to have someone come in and paint it, so we just did it ourselves," Bradshaw said. With the help of Larry Parnell, Jim Gorndt, Paul Sherry and Rob Lilienthal, the extensive paintwork was finished.

There are four courts available to players, and according to Bradshaw the biggest hurdle during the renovations was determining how to place the courts so they could fit. Currently arranged in a wide-diamond pattern, the courts work well in the space.

There is no charge to use the facility, but guests are welcome to make donations. Bradshaw noted, "It's our biggest outreach as far as getting new people in the building. All of the funds we raise here go back to the Salvation Army as far as programming and different things we can do." In February a membership system will be implemented, but first, that must go through district and national approval as well.

Cathie Akins of Coshocton tries out the TopSpin Pro machine at the newly opened Hilltop Pickleball Facility in Cambridge.
Cathie Akins of Coshocton tries out the TopSpin Pro machine at the newly opened Hilltop Pickleball Facility in Cambridge.

There is a lock system at the entrance so that when anyone reserves the court, they will be issued a code to access the area. Reservations can be made at www.courtreserve.com or by contacting the Salvation Army. The facility will be available from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. to accommodate various groups.

The building will not only provide court space for those wishing to pick up a paddle, but will also provide a meeting space for the Salvation Army to utilize and connect with the community. Bradshaw has plans to host tournaments, clinics and offer lessons.

Those interested in learning more about pickleball or reserving the court can call 740-432-7759, or reach out to Bradshaw via Facebook or at 740-260-1458.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Jeffersonian: Hilltop Pickleball Facility opens on Morton Avenue in Cambridge