KEYSTONE HEIGHTS – Pickleball, a sport that combines parts of badminton, ping-pong, and tennis, is one of the fastest-growing sports in terms of popularity and engagement in the United States. With more people playing, more courts are needed. Keystone Heights heard the call, and Tuesday morning, cut the ribbon on a new court in Sunrise Park.

Keystone Heights Mayor Karen Lake and other city council members, as well as some local citizens, were on hand for the grand opening. They braved the chilly 40-degree temperatures for the ribbon cutting and to test out the new court, which will undoubtedly attract plenty of local players once warmer weather returns.

“There was a request when I was appointed mayor, almost two-and-a-half years ago,” said Keystone Heights Mayor Karen Lake. “People wanted a pickleball court. So, we’ve invited some of those people who’ve made that request back here so they can see it and start using it.”

Lake said that the court had been on the budget for a while but had taken some time to move up in priority. Once it was funded, the job went quickly, only taking one day to be completed.

“It was not an expensive project, which is one of the reasons we were able to get it done so quickly once we made a decision to include it in the budget,” Lake said.

“It [the new court] looks nice,” said Thomas Francis, a retiree who began playing the sport this past New Year’s Day. “Different decking on it, so it might take some getting used to.”

Citizens on hand were also joined by members of the Keystone Heights Department of Public Works.

“I love new stuff,” said Tina Barber, a member of the Public Works department. “I work Public Works and love new stuff in the community for people to do.”

Looking at the new court, Barber said while she has never played pickleball before, but it looks like fun, and she might just pick it up.

Community members who were on hand stuck around despite the cold and tested out the new court for about 30 minutes following the ribbon cutting.

“It’s been met with great enthusiasm. It’s been a request from folks around here for a long time, and I’m really happy we were able to provide it for them,” said Lake.