SPRINGFIELD – Pickleball is gaining momentum in Lane County, and to keep up with the fast-growing popularity, Willamalane is teaming up with Emerald Valley Pickleball Club (EVPC) to offer monthly classes.
No, pickleball is not played with any actual pickles. The game is a hybrid of badminton and table tennis. It is a paddle-racket sport played on a court, typically a tennis or badminton court, and can be played indoors. Players hit a perforated plastic ball over a short net. Folks can play on teams of two or one-on-one against each other. The game is comparable to tennis but with distinct scoring rules.
“The demand for pickleball is growing like crazy,” said Kenny Weigandt, deputy director for recreation and community services. “It’s a wonderful sport, it’s so accessible to so many people, and it really caters to people who are either just looking for some entry-level athletics, or people who play really competitively.”
Whitney Hoshaw, Willamalane’s marketing and communications manager, said the monthly classes are open to community members; no experience is needed for the entry-level classes.
They are taught by a team of EVPC instructors, and the program focuses on skill development, strategy, and helping participants transition into regular community play.
“It’s just one example of Springfield’s expanding pickleball scene and highlights the growing demand for accessible recreational opportunities in the region,” Hoshaw said.
Willamalane is offering Pickleball 101, 102, and 103 on Tuesdays, with class times ranging from 4:45 p.m. to 7:15 p.m., depending on when folks are available in the evenings. Classes have around 16 members with two instructors.
“It gives people an opportunity to learn with others who are just starting in the game, versus trying to step out there for the very first time. We think that it’s going to really help people engage in the sport more and play it,” Weigandt said.
Classes are $65 per monthly class for in-district players, or $78 for out-of-district players. All of the classes are taught at the Bob Keefer Center, but folks can take their newly learned skills to Meadow Park, where Willamalane has eight dedicated outdoor pickleball courts.
“If anybody is looking or is interested in learning to play pickleball, you’re not alone,” he said.
