PLOVER, WI (WSAU) — The Village of Plover is the latest community to dive headfirst into the pickleball craze.
Administrator Steve Kunst says the community has partnered with the Heart of Wisconsin Pickleball Association for 12 new courts dedicated to the sport, the first development of its kind in the community. “We said six courts seems like an appropriate Village-scale project but the group said ‘we’d love to have 12.’ So we said let’s design it for 12 and if you can fundraise for the other six let’s make it happen.”
Sentry Insurance stepped up to make a signficant contribution to the effort. Kunst says the project is on track to wrap up in a few weeks, meaning there will be a full summer and fall of pickleball action on the courts.
Kunst says the Village has some multi-use courts lined for pickleball, but they’ve found that the sport is best played on a dedicated surface. “We have always tried to create courts that are multi-purpose. Our tennis courts are also lined for pickleball. We found that doesn’t really work for pickleball and there is enough demand here locally across all ages.”
He also admits he isn’t a pickleball player himself but throughout the project he’s learned why so many are gravitating to the game. “It [can be played] by kids all the way to seniors. They can play with minimal impact on their bodies, but still get exercise. It’s a lot of fun and the game is really quick. You can get through a competition really efficently.”
The first big event on the new pickleball courts will be a multi-day tournament during Celbrate Plover! in July.
Other topics Kunst discussed with WSAU’s Mike Leischner include:
Start of video- Park project updates
10:00- Public safety building update
13:40- Road project updates
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