Andrea Molberg
Looking for a great way to exercise and meet people? Pickleball may fit your needs perfectly. Extremely popular in SaddleBrooke and with all age groups across the country, Pickleball is easy to learn, yet challenging and fast paced for experienced players. Played on a court a third of the size of a tennis court with a paddle and plastic ball, Pickleball combines many of the components of tennis, ping-pong and badminton. It’s so fun that players call it addictive.
SaddleBrooke Pickleball Association (SPA) members can play within SaddleBrooke on the six regulation Ridgeview courts or on three Preserve courts with a non-regulation ball. To accommodate the 664 SaddleBrooke club members, play at Ridgeview is on a drop-in basis. A reciprocal agreement with SaddleBrooke Ranch currently allows SPA members to use six of their 24 courts.
Built before Pickleball became so popular, SaddleBrooke is looking for a place to build additional courts. According to American Sports Builders Association, 912 places to play Pickleball were added in 2015. That averages out to 76 new places to play Pickleball each month. No wonder Pickleball’s growth is called explosive. Recognizing how Pickleball attracts buyers, RCI is expanding the Pickleball facilities at their other properties. For example, Robson Ranch in Texas is currently building eight new courts and converting another tennis court to create four additional courts. (They converted a tennis court several years ago to create their first four courts).
Find out why people are hooked and start the new year right. SPA provides introductory, assisted play and advanced assisted play lessons. Learn more at spa.clubexpress.com. Yearly dues are $50.