Honolulu, Hawaii has opened its inaugural dedicated courts for the fastest-growing sport in America. On Monday, devoted players from across the island gathered at Keehi Lagoon Beach Park, adjacent to the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, to celebrate the completion of 12 state-of-the-art pickleball courts.
Furthermore, a future project is underway to construct an additional five general play courts at the park. These renovations represent a thrilling initiative by the Department of Parks and Recreation to repurpose public facilities, making them more accessible to various community groups and organizations. The department aims to transform 20 existing courts into a grand total of 67 designated courts by year’s end.
Despite initial opposition to expanding the pickleball courts, park officials are optimistic that these new installations will meet the needs of the rapidly growing sports community. “With these new facilities, we envision the possibility of hosting tournaments and larger gatherings, placing greater emphasis on recreational usage,” expressed Nate Serota, a spokesperson from the Department of Parks and Recreation.
Presently, the state of Hawaii boasts 173 pickleball courts, although only a fraction of them are exclusively dedicated to the sport. The majority of courts serve multiple purposes, with pickleball court lines added alongside those designated for basketball, volleyball, and tennis. For aficionados of the sport on the island, the newly unveiled courts provide not only an avenue for spirited competition but also foster camaraderie.
Dean McColgan, director of the Oahu Pickleball Association, voiced his gratitude, saying, “Pickleball has truly unified our community, and we extend our heartfelt appreciation to everyone involved in creating these remarkable courts.” Kailua District Park, Kaala Neighborhood Park, and Makakilo Community Park are slated to be the next locations for court conversions and development.
