City dedicates pickleball courts at event center
By Rochelle Moore
Published in News on October 26, 2017 5:50 AM
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Goldsboro officials and area pickleball players celebrate the recent opening of new pickleball courts at the Goldsboro Event Center, on South Slocumb Street, including from left, Scott Stevens, city manager; Lynn Williams, Mount Olive Pickle Co.; Theresa Merritt, city parks and recreation board member; and Mayor Chuck Allen.
New pickleball courts are now open and available for use by the public at the Goldsboro Event Center.
A recent dedication of the courts drew city leaders, pickleball players and a representative from the Mount Olive Pickle Co., which donated $10,000 to the cost of improving the tennis courts for pickleball games, said Kaye Scott, Goldsboro finance director.
The courts can be used for tennis or pickleball, said Theresa Merritt, a member of the Goldsboro Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee. The Goldsboro Event Center is located at 1501 S. Slocumb St.
"The courts are transformed tennis courts," Merritt said. "There are still clay surface courts in use for tennis, as well."
Pickleball is a paddle sport created for all ages and skill levels. Considered a fun sport, pickleball combines many elements of tennis, badminton and pingpong. Played as doubles or singles, pickleball is played with a paddle and a plastic ball with holes. The sport can be played indoors or outdoors.
There are at least 50 pickleball players on the Goldsboro Parks and Recreation roster. The parks and recreation department also maintains a monthly calendar of dates and play times available at city locations, Merritt said.
"This is a great game," Merritt said during the recent dedication. "If you ever played a paddle sport or tennis, you will adapt so easily.
"We have high school students, homeschool kids, we have seniors and we have people in their 80s coming out and enjoying this for the social and recreation."
The addition of pickleball courts cost the city $33,650, Scott said. The city has received other donations toward the effort, and has spent $3,807 from area donations to date.