Dixon pickleball courts opening Wednesday

DIXON – Pickleballers will have a new playing ground starting Wednesday.

The Dixon Park District will be opening its six striped courts following a ceremony at noon at Meadows Park.

The project used the foundation of the practice roller-hockey rink and includes fencing and lighting. Courts will be open from sunrise to 10 p.m.

“It’s come together full circle, and it’s pretty neat to see it finished with all the people involved,” district Recreation Director Seth Nicklaus said.

The Park District spent about $40,000 as well as used in-house labor for some work, and the goal was to raise $30,000 in donations and sponsorships.

They raised about $15,000 during the winter, and Nicklaus said they will likely raise the rest at fundraising tournaments.

The Dixon Park District has been talking about pickleball courts for the last couple of years because of the growing popularity of the sport, which combines elements of badminton, table tennis and tennis, and a group of pickleballers approached the district last year about providing more opportunities in Dixon.

“One of the main important things about pickleball is that it has a huge age span for interest, from youth to adults to seniors,” Nicklaus said. “It’s a way to be physically active for families, kids and individuals.”

The courts will also open up new youth programming, such as weeklong camps to introduce children to the sport.