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If you haven't heard of pickleball by now, you're really missing out on one of the fastest growing sports and trends in the United States.

In the last few years, pickleball's popularity has exploded across the United States despite being invented back in 1965. As I wrote in March, it's supposed to be a game that's friendly and fun, and one that is fairly simple to pick up:

So what is Pickleball? It's a game that is supposed to be simple to learn, while being fun, social, and friendly. According to USAPickleball, the sport combines different elements of tennis, badminton, and even ping-pong and is played outside or inside on a court that is the size of a badminton court. It's played with a paddle and a plastic ball holes and can be played in doubles or singles, like tennis. One thing players seem to really enjoy is that all ages and skill levels can have fun and play.

A group in Lubbock has started a non-profit group called LBK Plays Pickleball, boasts over 1,000 members on Facebook and has been promoting the game for years now. The goal has been to partner with the City of Lubbock to build a premier Pickleball complex. And that dream got a step closer to reality after Tuesday's Lubbock City Council meeting.

During the work session, the Lubbock City Council unanimously approved $1,816,260 towards a Lubbock Plays Pickleball Family Complex. I've been told that the money approved by the Lubbock City Council is ARPA money and would cover outdoor courts, but not indoor courts.

The money would cover phases 1 and 2, according to a post on the Lubbock Plays Pickleball Facebook page:

Phase 1:
The $1,816,260 will fund phases 1 & 2 Design/Cost Estimates.
Wind Protection, dirt work, paving, parking, rest rooms.
Includes estimated (8-16 outdoor lighted courts,) # depending on what the final bids are.
Phase 2
LBK Plays Pickleball is a 501(c)3 Non-Profit organization and members will help raise the money to finish out what will be a premier complex in the US.
It will be funded by donations, naming rights sponsorships, and grants.
8 indoor courts. (Totaling 24 courts, of which 2 are stadium courts.)
8 Shaded & 8 outdoor courts.
The organization also plans on the facility having shaded areas, a pro shop, locker rooms and a snack bar, along with ping pong and corn hole areas. In the next 30 days, the organization plans on having a New Facility Celebration Party.
We'll have more information as it becomes available.

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