By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
The summertime temperatures may be on the way out but Kansas has no shortage of wind, bugs, or other inclement weather. That has made indoor pickleball in Hoisington a hit. City Manager Jonathan Mitchell said courts are available at the Hoisington Auditorium.
"It is air-conditioned, climate-controlled, lighting is controlled, no wind, no outside variables, but an adult has to reserve it," he said.
The Hoisington Rec purchased two rolling pickleball nets in August 2023. Equipment for the game may be borrowed or players can bring their own. Those wanting to reserve the indoor courts for after-hours use need to call the city during business hours at (620) 653-4125.
"It's been very well utilized, very well used, so if you want to have a space when you get there, it helps to call in advance," Mitchell said. "If they're full there, you can just go out to the park and use those facilities. We do have two courts at Bicentennial Park."
Pickleball continues to be the fastest-growing sport in the United States with a 223 percent increase in players since 2020. The number of players increased more than 50 percent from 2022 to 2023.