Local city could soon hold Ohio’s largest indoor pickleball court

RIVERSIDE, Ohio ( WDTN ) — Pickleball players in the city of Riverside have their fingers crossed in anticipation of a potential new facility.

Some residents currently drive as far as thirty minutes just to play the fastest-growing sport in the county. This project would bring in one of the state’s only dedicated indoor courts.

“One of the greatest sports. And I never thought that I would learn a new sport that was better than golf.,” said Greg West, a Pickleball player.

2 NEWS spoke with players at the Pickleball courts in Kennedy Park in Kettering. Some say they are forced to make a lengthy commute just to play at the court. But, that could soon change.

Local developers are looking to transform the former Smiley’s Golf and Baseball Center into an indoor and outdoor Pickleball court. Players say this would be a game-changer, especially during inclement weather.

“Especially in the winter. So I love the fact that they’re going to have dedicated indoor courts as well as outdoor,” said Amy Foley, a Pickleball player.

According to pickleheads.com, there are more than 500 dedicated Pickleball courts in the state, making Ohio sixth in the nation for the most courts.

The Dayton region has the third most courts, with 14 facilities, behind Columbus’s 27 and Cincinatti’s 41 Pickleball courts. Local players say they want more options closer to home.

The first phase of the Black Barn Pickleball Construction project would include eight indoor and up to 10 outdoor courts. Project developers have already bought the land; the next step is to file plans with the city and get approval for the project.

Mike Bettencourt says this development will grant economic opportunities for the city and enhance the experience for regular players.

“We know there’s a demand. We just need to figure out a way to make it happen,” said Bettencourt.

Bettencourt says phase two of the project would make the court the largest dedicated indoor pickleball court in the country.

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