LEWES, Del. - The Lewes Pickleball Facility Subcommittee is making plans to build new pickleball courts in Lewes. Pickleball players currently share the courts at Canalfront Park with tennis players, but they say they need more space.
In 2020, when the city announced a project to resurface Canalfront Park, pickleball players wanted to add more pickleball courts, which received some push back from tennis players. The city eventually approved a recommendation to keep the courts the same. The committee says THERE IS A REGION WIDE NEED FOR PICKLEBALL COURTS, AND THEY AIM TO FIND AND CREATE ADDITIONAL FACILITIES.
"I think we ought to be looking at a site that's just over an acre. I'd be comfortable with 1.3 or 1.5," said Rodney Robinson, member of the Pickleball Facility Subcommittee.
Below is one of the two proposed drawings for the possible facility.
Plan A for Pickleball CourtRodney Robinson
"There's 8 courts with a pavilion in the center, and a parking lot for 40 cars," said Robinson.
Linda Rock and Nancy Shelton spend their Wednesday afternoons, practicing a game of singles.
"It would be great to have a couple of courts minimum and it doesn't take up that much space ... It's a great game, great for exercise, meeting people, friends, just showing up to vacation, you see a pickleball court you just hang out and pick up a game," said Linda Rock.
Nancy Shelton moved from New Castle County to Lewes four years ago.
"If it weren't for pickle ball I would have moved back. It's been a blessing people because you meet so many nice people, and people have taken me under their wing like Linda," said Shelton.
Nancy and Linda say pickleball is the fastest growing sport in America.
The subcommittee is considering many possible locations: school properties, a parcel behind Lewes Library, Great Marsh Park, and land that's owned by University of Delaware.
"I would love to get more pickleball courts in this area. There's so many people moving to this area anyway, and some of us tend to be a little more mature, and it gives us something to do," said Shelton.
The Pickleball Subcommittee did not discuss funding on Wednesday's meeting. They plan to do so at the next meeting on February 10, at 10 a.m.