It may take a village to raise a child, but it also takes a whole lot of very dedicated people to bring a project as ambitious as Malad’s pickleball court to fruition.  Lance Tripp, city councilmember tasked with the Parks and Recreation aspects of the city, has repeatedly mentioned the tireless efforts of the committee that spearheaded the court over the last year and a half or so.  

Pickleball has been widely covered in recent times, and it is usually with the phrase “fastest growing sport in the country” attached to it.  However those metrics are determined, it’s hard to argue against the massive popularity of the sport, which in many areas has instigated a boomlet for athletic supply stores and rec centers.  The sport itself—its rules and history—has been discussed a number of times in the pages of this paper, and it’s likely that those who believe they might enjoy it have had plenty of chances to try it by now.

If there are any people out there who somehow are still in the dark about what pickleball is and why so many people love it, feel free to ask any of the people listed at the end of this article.  The nearly four dozen individuals made it their mission to secure pickleball facilities for the city.  The space was there, the desire was there, and the players were certainly there.  The only thing missing, as is often the case, was the funding, and that’s where the committee really went to work.

The vast majority of the members contributed sweat equity to the project at a bare minimum, working through the months at preparing the location, the court itself, and everything else that needed doing outside of the contract work.  Much of the labor and equipment for the construction was also donated or done at an extremely reduced cost by local individuals, businesses, and groups.  

While every person and group who contributed to the court coming into being deserves thanks and recognition, the city specifically identified the core group of committee members—who took the project from the idea stage to completion—as the community volunteers most deserving of this year’s title.  Pickleball is a sport that has a broader potential for access than many sports, making it one that is especially popular among the older and younger groups of park users.  The courts are very clean, well-maintained, and often busy all day.  Lights have increased the amount of time that the courts can be used as well.  While recent intense temperatures have crimped the midday play a bit, the fall should be a very busy season on the courts.

Club groups have also begun to form, bringing people from around the community together to spend time outdoors and among their friends and family.  MHS has already constituted a pickleball club, and there’s no telling how widespread the sport might become even just in town, let alone in the wider region.  Pickleball has been recommended as a sport well suited for maintaining health, especially among the above 55 crowd, and the court provides a much needed location in the city for physical activity.  Thanks to the efforts of the many members of the committee, everyone has a chance to easily decide for themselves whether the sport is for them. 

Mayor Joan Hawkins, taking the place of an unavailable Councilmember Tripp, thanked all of the members for their efforts, and handed out t-shirts to each in place of a plaque.  Technically, Lance Tripp was one of the recipients of the award as well, and without a doubt he donated significant quantities of his own time to the project. 

A list of members includes: Rex Robbins, Sarah Robbins, Devin Robbins, Lynn Moore, Rich Moore, Dave Colton, Dotty Evanson, Sarah Richardson, Tory Richardson, Ed Thorpe, Paula Thorpe, Bob Crowther, Anne Crowther, Kris Blaisdell, Dan Blaisdell, Lance Tripp, Debbie Buehler, Don Buehler, Stacey Madsen, Scott Ray, Steve Daniels, Kathryn Fossum, Everet King, Edna King, Gia Haycock, Jamie Jacaway, Emily Nelson, Tina Fesler, Peggy Schwartz, Stephanie Francom, Carol Stevens, Tami Williams, Mia Alger, Mel West, Bobbi Summers, Susan Hill, Marti Bayler, Curtis Huckaby, Jens Huckaby, Travis Huckaby, Max Firth, and Tracy Ward.