NEXT UP IN PICKLEBALL

from Chanhassen NEXT! 2022

by Big Fish Works

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Pickleball

Pickleball is now available, through the city of Chaska, on top of the East Creek Transit Station.

FILE PHOTO BY CHUCK RUPNOW

Southern metro embraces sport

BY JACQUELINE DEVINE

There’s a sport that’s exploding in the southwest metro.

If you haven’t heard about pickleball by now, it won’t be long before a friend recruits you to play a game.

Enthusiasts say the sport is popular for its fun, social and friendly nature. Plus the fact that it’s good exercise doesn’t hurt either.

Pickleball is a racket or paddle sport that was created by combining elements of several other racket sports. Two or four players use solid paddles to hit a perforated polymer ball over a net. The ball is much like a wiffleball.

A pickleball court is similar to badminton, with a net similar to tennis, and the paddles are similar to those in table tennis.

According to the official pickleball website, pickleball was invented in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, a short ferry ride from Seattle, Washington. Three dads — Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum — whose kids were bored with their usual summertime activities — are credited for creating the game.

Pickleball has evolved from original handmade equipment and simple rules into a popular sport throughout the U.S. and Canada. The game is growing internationally as well, with many European and Asian countries adding courts.

Over the years, the sport spread like wildfire and became popular in community centers, public parks, YMCA facilities, retirement homes and the southern Twin Cities metro where it’s home to several pickleball courts and clubs.

MEGA PICKLE & PONG

Mega Pickle & Pong, an indoor pickleball and ping pong club, opened its doors March 1 and is going strong. The club, located at 2929 Water Tower Place in Chanhassen, includes six indoor pickleball courts and nine ping pong tables.

Rick Gray, owner of Mega Pickle & Pong, said the surrounding communities have been extremely supportive of the new business.

“They’ve really come together and built up a lot of our business and it’s about them getting all their friends together. They’ve been extremely passionate about pickleball,” said Gray. “It’s so fun to see the big smiles on their faces when they come in and we have a large portion of our visitors come in three to five times a week which has been wonderful.”

Gray said the idea to build an indoor pickleball and ping pong club started as a passion project that has since evolved into a thriving business.

“It was really a passion project. My business partner and I were

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“It’s so fun to see the big smiles on their faces when they come in and we have a large portion of our visitors come in three to fi ve times a week which has been wonderful.”

Rick Gray

Owner of Mega Pickle & Pong

big table tennis fans and it kind of started as we love to play table tennis so let’s open up a little ping pong club,” said Gray. “My mother-in-law introduced me to pickleball and I immediately thought this is so fun and saw there wasn’t really much in dedicated indoor sports with an outdoor surface that everyone was looking for.”

Gray also said that the new business has extended what it currently offers.

“We have been extending what we offer as far as different play for different skill levels. We now have three instructors that teach classes all the way from beginner to advanced. We also have multiple tournaments going on over the summer and 100% of those fees go to charities. So, we’re really trying to give back to the community,” said Gray. “In addition to that, we are looking to be the largest pickleball retailer in Minnesota. We have a substantially sized pro shop where you can come in and we carry a demo of every single paddle that we have that you can try.”

Pickleball players can reserve a court online ahead of time by using the app CourtReserve. The club also offers open play time, when participants can show up and play with others. Ping pong is open play only. To play ping pong, it costs $5. Open play pickleball costs $8 and it costs $25 to reserve a court by the hour.

Mega Pickle & Pong is open 9 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sundays. Those interested in learning more can visit megapickleandpong.com.

PICKLEBALL AND RIDE

In Chaska, residents can play pickleball in a unique setting at the top of a SouthWest Transit parking ramp. The courts are located at East Creek Transit Station, on the southwest corner of highways 41 and 212.

The courts evolved as part of an agreement between the city and SouthWest Transit.

According to previous reports, the idea to create pickleball courts on top of the parking ramp came during the COVID-19 pandemic. A portion of the ramp was not being utilized so SouthWest Transit partnered with the city of Chaska to create much needed pickleball courts in the community.

Zac Johnson, recreation supervisor for the city of Chaska, said if the courts become popular, there is a possibility for pickleball programs in the future.

“At this time we haven’t planned anything new at the courts. For now, the courts will offer open play,” said Johnson. “Depending on the number of players utilizing the courts and the popularity, we could look to start some programming there in the future. This will be the first summer where the courts will be available through the summer and the fall — weather permitting. We’re hoping for a great turnout at the courts.”

The lighted courts are available from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., with access to restrooms. Parking is free and available a short distance from the courts. Equipment is stored at the site. The city is handling any necessary scheduling. There are no fees.