Posted by Ryan Lancaster on 1/30/2024
Pickleball was established as Washington state’s official sport in 2022 and is now the fastest growing sport in America.
Local fans will have more places to work on their ace this summer, thanks to a Spokane Public Schools initiative to create 14 new public access courts across the city.
After hearing from community members about their love of the game, SPS is making accommodations to existing tennis courts at Rogers, Shadle Park, and North Central high schools to create a total of six pickleball courts on the north side of the city. Ferris High School and Lewis and Clark’s Hart Field will each have two tennis courts adapted to make another eight pickleball courts available on the south hill. This will support both school-based programming and community use.
Pickleball was born in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, Washington. While it can be played in or out of doors, outdoor courts in the Spokane area have been limited.
“At Comstock Park, there will be 40 to 50 people playing pickleball,” said former SPS superintendent Dr. Gary Livingston, who has been playing pickleball since 2012. “So those courts at the high schools will definitely be used.”
Livingston said the sport’s “forgiving nature” makes it accessible for retirees like he and his wife. It’s not too hard on the knees, and it’s a great social activity.
“I participate in a group that plays pickleball twice a week,” he said. “This would be great for the community because the school district is contributing to the social connectivity of retired people.”
While details regarding reservations and availability are still to come, Spokane Public Schools is proud to provide what the public has been asking for.
“I think any time the school can give back to the community that supports it and continues to support it, is a powerful message,” said Livingston.
