One of the newest sports to take over Ponoka is the growing game of pickleball, which combines tennis, table tennis and badminton and has seen large growth in North America.
The name pickleball conjures up all sorts of images that may include a mashed up green pickle but it is a game that has been adopted as a sport for the 2015 Alberta 55 Plus Summer Games.
Pickleball began in 1965 near Seattle, WA and was meant as a game that was accessible to young and old players. The sport recently found its way to communities across Alberta with some strong teams and organizers in Ponoka have developed weekly games.
A small but growing group in Ponoka has been playing every Thursday at 7 p.m. at the tennis courts or at the Seniors’ Drop-in Centre in the event of inclement weather, explained Gail Pugh, director of the Drop-in Centre floor curling and pickleball.
“We just enjoy the camaraderie and laughter,” said Pugh.
The name of the game is to have fun, but it has also become competitive around the country. Pugh says Camrose has a relatively large group of 40 players and she would like to see small central Alberta tournaments. “We need more people interested in it.”
She says Town of Ponoka planners have been supportive in their endeavour to garner interest and has provided tools to apply for grants to develop permanent courts or to paint the boundaries for the court.
Getting involved in the sport is relatively inexpensive. A three feet high net and four paddles cost approximately $300. The centre purchased two sets to allow more game play. Courts are 44 feet long and 20 feet wide, which allows for about two pickleball courts on one tennis court space.
While the game has been seen as a seniors’ sport, Pugh says anyone interested is welcome to see players in action. “I think it’s a sport that anyone can enjoy.”
“Anybody that wants to play is more than welcome,” she added.