New Gurnee pickleball courts provide weather-proof exercise

GURNEE – People can stay in shape this fall by playing pickleball at the Gurnee Park District’s new indoor courts at Hunt Club Community Center, Gurnee resident Mike Louie says. The new courts were installed in late September.

“Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in the country,” Louie said. “It’s played internationally by people of all ages.” PIckleball is a badminton-tennis-ping pong hybrid, he said.

Louie and other Lake County pickleball players recently won medals at the Illinois Senior Olympics, which qualified them for the National Senior Games in Minneapolis, Minn. next year, he said.

Louie’s fellow pickleball players are thrilled to have indoor courts for the winter months, said Deb Woodard, also a Gurnee resident.

“Pickleball is absolutely an addictive sport," Woodard said. "We exercise and laugh at the same time. We are hoping for some dedicated outdoor courts in the near future."

Woodard said a single tennis court can be converted into four regulation pickleball courts.

Anyone can drop in to play pickleball from 1 to 3 p.m. Wednesdays and 11 to 1 p.m. Fridays at Hunt Club Community Center, 920 N. Hunt Club Road. The drop-in fee is $5, and Gurnee Park District FitNation members can play for free. Louie said lessons for beginners are available.

Lotti Meier, of Gurnee, said he's "so thrilled about playing pickleball" that he plans and schedules his "whole life around it."

Louie worked with Scott Crowe, superintendent of recreation, to have the new indoor courts for pickleball, which take up one-third of a tennis court.

Last October, Gurnee Park District officials were on the fence about adding indoor pickleball courts. At the time, Susie Kuruvilla, Gurnee Park District director, said she wasn’t sure there was enough demand.

Kristi Murray, community relations manager for the Gurnee Park District, said “after some research into this growing sport, the Gurnee Park District decided this would be a great activity to bring to the community."

"Pickleball is a fun, recreational sport (similar to tennis) that is perfect for all ages and skill levels," Murray added.

Visit www.gurneeparkdistrict.com for a schedule of pickleball drop-in times and fees.