HUMBOLDT — Pickleball fans have a new place to play the fast-growing sport.
A court has been added to the multi-purpose room at Humboldt Elementary School. The court has been marked with taped lines. USD 258 officials plan to paint lines for an official court this coming summer.
About 10-12 people have been booking slots to play pickleball at the school, Darcie Croisant, with the Humboldt Recreation Commission, said. A group from Iola also has played at the school in their search for a suitable indoor site, she said.
The school began offering the venue in early February. Now that the wrestling season has ended, the multi-purpose room typically is available from 6-8 p.m. during the week and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. if no other activities are scheduled.
Pickleball clinics likely will be offered after spring break.
“We hope that will get more youth and adults interested,” Croisant said.
The recreation commission also wants to build a court at Cannon Park in Humboldt’s downtown.
Pickleball, considered one of the fastest-growing sports in the U.S. according to the USA Pickleball Association, combines elements of tennis, badminton and table tennis. There are an estimated 15,000 courts in all 50 states, including courts in Iola’s Meadowbrook neighborhood.
Humboldt school board members approved adding the court to the elementary school after discussion at a January meeting. Superintendent Kay Lewis said she thought there was quite a demand for the sport and that the activity could be good for students.
“I think it’s good for our community to be active and well. Maybe some of our kids and maybe some of our teachers will partake in this,” Lewis told board members.
For more information about the Humboldt school court, contact Darcie Croisant at [email protected].
PHOTO: Humboldt Pickleball enthusiast Lyle Kern, Iola, shows the retrofitted tennis courts at Meadowbrook Park in this file photo. Humboldt has added a pickleball court to its the elementary school.
