Pickleball Players Seek Outdoor Courts

Pickleballers are looking to move their game outdoors.
Dozens of players take over the gym at the Paul Stock Aquatics and Recreation Center every weekday morning, but John Parsons, representing the Pickleball Club, approached the Cody City Council at their work session yesterday with a proposal to resurface and remodel a lesser-used tennis court in the City to make it suitable for pickleball.

Parsons, supported at the meeting by fellow player Doug Weedin and Cody Recreation Director Rick Manchester, pointed out that the need for more space is growing, as the number of people who are playing the game has doubled in the last year. He added that no City funds would be requested for the project, as the money would be raised through grants from local recreation boards and through private donations.

What’s primarily standing in the way of a decision for the Council is the location. Parsons said their first choice would be the old tennis courts near the Chamber of Commerce, but because there is a movement to remodel the Chamber, that location may disappear in the next five years.
After discussion, the Council urged the group to reconsider their preference for the Chamber courts, pointing out that the tennis courts at the Dorse Miller park would create less controversy. Parsons agreed, and Mayor Matt Hall commented that the Council will consider putting this on the next regular Council agenda.
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