Greenwood’s $1.3 million project is up and running for the community to utilize. This money has definitely not gone to waste as students are lucky to find an open court with the popularity the new courts have already drawn in.
Pickleball has become a huge part of the community since the construction of the seven court facility at Craig Park. With packed courts every day and people begging for more, the city opened a new 16 court facility at Freedom Park.
“I went a few times within the first week of the opening, and every single court would be filled with people waiting in lines to play,” senior Ian Ratliff said.
This new facility has definitely become worth the money as a new pickleball culture and the court is home to many regulars.
“I come with my friends or girlfriend to the Freedom courts at least one or two times a week,” senior Timmy Bass said.
The new courts have created great experiences, but with the facility being outdoor, weather can ruin the fun.
“A funny thing that happened was while we were playing, it started storming and pouring down rain,” Bass said. “Everyone panicked and sprinted to get to their cars, and we had to come back another day to finish our match.”
This new facility allows everyone to play. The seven courts at Craig Park were not enough to fill the needs of the city.
“I played a lot of pickleball before, but it’s great that the new courts are open because they give me, my friends, and my family another option to play instead of waiting an hour to play a game,” senior Joelle Young said.
With more courts comes more playing. This allows students to enhance their skills and learn the best ways to defeat their opponents in the 11- point match.
“My best strategy is to stand right outside of the kitchen against the net. I get a lot of spikes, and they can’t get it past me,” Bass said.
The game has brought out a competitive nature as students take part in friendly matches where they will do anything it takes to win.
“My favorite people to play with are Alyssa, Seth and Atley. My best games were playing with Atley when we beat my parents three games in a row,” Young said.
