Cook County Tennis Association offers new outdoor pickleball opportunity

Pickleball is fast becoming a big sport in the county. It is played indoors in the Y gym in Grand Marais and in the Birch Grove Community Center gym and now two outdoor tennis courts at the Community Center are open for summer play. Photo courtesy of Bob Pranis

Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in North America, and Grand Marais is no exception with indoor play at the YMCA having over 40 active players and Birch Grove School in Tofte having both an indoor and outdoor court.

Now, due to the efforts of the Cook County Tennis Association, CCTA, local and visiting pickleball players will have an opportunity to play pickleball outdoors during the summer season at the CCTA tennis facility in Grand Marais (northwest of the YMCA).

CCTA has purchased two sturdy pickleball nets on wheels and has taped court lines in red for two pickleball courts on the northwest tennis court. The nets are set up all the time and just have to be wheeled on to the court to play.

For players with no equipment there will be a few paddles and balls out by the court and additional paddles and balls can be checked out at the YMCA.

Currently, specifically reserved times for pickleball are 8 to 10 a.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday and 1 to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. However, the courts may be used for pickleball anytime that a CCTA event is not scheduled on its calendar. To check the schedule, go to their website at www.playtenniscookcounty.org

In addition to regular play, the CCTA plans to hold monthly pickleball socials as well as offer instruction from Charles Darley, CCTA director of instruction or beginning instruction from Bob Pranis. If you have any questions regarding outdoor pickleball please direct them to Bob Pranis at bpranis@gmail.com.

If you are playing pickleball regularly outside, consider joining the CCTA and help support this effort and keep outdoor pickleball alive in Cook County. Membership cost is modest and helps the CCTA defray the cost of court and facility maintenance. You can join the CCTA by visiting www.playtenniscookcounty.org