As a resident of North Augusta, SC, I am writing this petition to address the lack of public access to pickleball facilities in our community. Pickleball is a rapidly growing sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis. It is easy to learn and provides a fun and engaging way for people of all ages to stay active and build community.

Personal Story:
Over the last few years, I discovered the joy of playing pickleball while traveling to play in Aiken, Augusta, or Evans. The fast-paced nature of the game and the sense of camaraderie among players immediately captivated me. However, in North Augusta, I have been disappointed to continue to find that there are no public pickleball courts available for residents like myself. While Hammond Hills recently added 6 courts, there is an expensive membership fee that prevents beginners, groups of friends, and visiting guests from being able to play.

Currently, our community has several underutilized tennis courts scattered throughout parks and recreational areas. By converting even just one tennis courts into dedicated pickleball courts, we could have up to four dedicated pickleball courts. The demand for more pickleball facilities is evident not just nationally but also locally within our neighboring communities such as Aiken County where they have successfully converted some tennis courts into dedicated pickleball courts and some to dual-purpose pickleball and tennis courts. By following their lead, we can tap into the growing interest in pickleball and create a vibrant recreational community here in North Augusta.

 

Potential Locations:

There are seven tennis courts at Riverview Park and four more just down the street at Edenfield Park. In the extended time I spend at both with kids on the playgrounds or for other reasons, I rarely see more than one of the courts being used. If we could convert even just two tennis courts to dedicated pickleball courts, we could have eight courts and still have plenty of tennis courts as studies by USA Pickleball Association show each converted tennis court can accommodate four pickleball courts (There are also numerous areas around town at current Parks, Recreation and Tourism locations that have available land to build new courts that wouldn’t take away tennis courts).

 

Reasons to Consider:

1. Increasing Demand: According to the USA Pickleball Association (USAPA), there are over 4 million players across the United States who actively participate in this sport and it has grown more than 20% each of the past five years (and 650% since 2013!!!). With such high demand nationwide, it's time we catered to the growing interest right here in North Augusta.

2. Health Benefits: Pickleball offers numerous health benefits such as improved cardiovascular fitness, increased agility and balance, enhanced hand-eye coordination, and reduced stress levels- all of which lead to high quality of life AND longevity of life. By providing access to pickleball facilities locally, we can encourage more residents to engage in physical activity and lead healthier lifestyles. A study by L. Smith et al. in 2018 showed that people who play pickleball have better cardiovascular and metabolic health leading to significantly lower risk of premature death… suggesting simply playing pickleball could help add years to your life.

3. Economic Boost: The introduction of dedicated pickleball courts would attract players from neighboring communities who currently travel elsewhere seeking suitable facilities. This influx of visitors would not only benefit local businesses but also generate revenue through tournaments and events hosted within our city.

4. Inclusivity: Pickleball is a sport that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and abilities. By converting tennis courts into pickleball courts, we create an inclusive environment where everyone can participate, regardless of their skill level or physical limitations.

5. Cost-Effective Solution: Converting existing tennis courts into pickleball courts is a cost-effective approach compared to building new facilities from scratch. This conversion would make efficient use of our existing infrastructure while meeting the demands and desires of our community members.

 

Accordingly, I urge City Council and the relevant authorities responsible for maintaining public sports facilities to consider converting some tennis courts pickleball courts, building new public pickleball courts, or at the very least, adding pickleball court lines to existing tennis courts. Making pickleball available to the public would allow local access to a sport that is growing at an exponential rate and provide another way for people of all ages to exercise and remain active while having fun and building community.

By signing this petition, you are expressing your support for the conversion of underutilized tennis courts into dedicated pickleball courts. Let's seize this opportunity to enhance our community's recreational offerings, promote an active lifestyle, and provide a space where residents of all ages can come together to enjoy the exciting sport of pickleball.

Together, let's make North Augusta a hub for pickleball enthusiasts! Sign this petition today and help us bring accessible public pickleball facilities to our beloved community!

Thank you for your support!