September 16, 2021Heskett CenterAthleticsCampus Recreationplacemaking

Heskett Center adds pickleball courts during outdoor renovations

By Paul Suellentrop

 
  • Pickleball is a growing sport and Campus Recreation is reacting to that growth by adding courts at the Heskett Center.
  • The Outdoor Sports Complex will feature four pickleball courts, two for tennis, two for half-court basketball and one for futsal.

As interest in pickleball grew, John Lee鈥檚 Campus Recreation staff drew chalk lines on tennis courts to modify the space for the sport.

Later this fall, pickleball becomes permanent on campus at the Heskett Center鈥檚 Outdoor Sports Complex.

When it became necessary to resurface six tennis courts, Lee, director of Campus Recreation, decided to do something different. The complex will feature four pickleball courts, two courts for tennis and two existing courts for half-court basketball and one for futsal.

Morgan Regier, a senior physical education major, often plays pickleball at places around Wichita. She enjoys the activity and the social aspect of the sport, attributes she believes will enhance a college campus.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a fun experience to get exercise,鈥� she said. 鈥淎ny type of community on campus is looking for ways to reach out and create new relationships. Having something like that is a great way to build community.鈥�

Lee said he can expand intramural pickleball, and he is interested in starting a club team. The sport hit Wichita State around five years ago, and its popularity continues to grow.

鈥淭o me, it鈥檚 a cross between badminton and tennis,鈥� he said. 鈥淨uicker. Shorter. Tennis is still a need, but we felt like pickleball isn鈥檛 a fad anymore.鈥�

With futsal already popular, Lee said he believes the addition of pickleball courts will increase the number of people using the complex. The courts are lighted and free and open until midnight. Equipment can be checked out in the Heskett Center at no additional charge for students and members. 

鈥淧eople play from all ages,鈥� Lee said. 鈥淭here is a need for informal outdoor recreation. If you live in one of the residence halls, it鈥檚 nice to have.鈥�

Regier is involved with several campus organizations who might use the upgraded courts.

鈥淚 think getting new courts there is going to be really cool,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 think it will be really accessible for everybody. Pickleball is more popular in the Midwest, so for students from the East Coast or West Coast, that will be a new sport they can learn.鈥�

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