On September 9, The Pennsylvania State University (Penn State) Campus Recreation held a grand opening of 12 new pickleball courts for the campus community.
The brand-new offering is located next to the McCoy Natatorium at the former tennis court site in the northeast quadrant of campus near the Intramural Building. The courts are also located directly across the street from the newly renovated East Hall residence halls. This new facility was made possible by the Student Fee Board.
Stephen Kampf, the senior director of Penn State Campus Recreation, said the project began over a year ago in response to the growing pickleball club not having outdoor playing space on campus.
“At Penn State, we’re lucky to have plenty of outdoor tennis facilities,” said Kampf. “We opted to transform a three-court tennis area into twelve pickleball courts, selecting the site for its high student traffic, visibility and potential to enhance the overall appearance of the area.”
Court Features
In total, the facility is 24,000 square feet and each court meets USA Pickleball regulation size and requirements. Kampf said two spectator cabanas were also constructed to provide shade, the courts are colored forest green and two different shades of blue, and the space is fully ADA accessible.
The new courts are open to all Penn State students, or those with a Campus Recreation membership, from sunup to sundown every day. Anyone needing necessary equipment to play can checkout pickleball paddles and balls from the Intramural Building and Tennis Center on campus. Additionally, the courts are easily accessible through the Blue Loop bus lane, which stops directly in front of the space. Paid parking is available in the nearby stadium lots.
Reaction and Beneficial Tips
Kampf said there’s been a significant rise in students playing pickleball in Penn State’s indoor facilities, which made the positive student response to the new outdoor courts unsurprising.
“Moving forward, we’re committed to offering new opportunities for students to engage in activities that enhance their overall well-being,” said Kampf. “The addition of pickleball courts not only meets this goal, but also has the potential to attract students who may not typically participate in other campus recreation activities.”
For other industry leaders who are looking to also capitalize on the ongoing pickleball craze, Kampf said one of the simplest ways to add pickleball courts is by converting an existing outdoor area, such as a tennis or basketball court.
“However, keep in mind pickleball can be quite noisy, so it’s best to avoid placing courts near academic buildings,” recommend Kampf. “If you plan to install lights for evening play, consider the noise levels and their impact on the surrounding environment.”
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