St. Cloud Opens New Outdoor Pickleball Courts, Residents Excited [VIDEO]

ST. CLOUD -- Six brand new outdoor pickleball courts are open for your enjoyment. The city held a ribbon cutting ceremony this (Friday) morning to officially dedicate the courts.

St. Cloud Mayor Dave Kleis says this is the first outdoor courts in the city of St. Cloud.

"We have a long tradition to parks, recreation and the opportunity we give community and these courts would not happen without some tremendous dedication," says Kleis.

The game of Pickleball is played similar to tennis. You can play with two to four players, using an over sized ping pong paddle, hitting a plastic ball over a three-foot net.

Tracey Thompson is the Ambassador of the USA Pickleball Association. She says the courts will open the game up to people of different ages.

"It's a sport anyone can play. The courts are going to be opened during the day when kids can play, the afternoon, after work people can play in the evening,"

The sport is growing among many older residents in the St. Cloud community. Whitney Recreation Center has six indoor court, that at times can become crowded with other sports going on.

Northern Paddles Pickleball Club President Randy Hall says the outdoor courts will give players more variety and space to play.

"It's a good contrast to Whitney being indoor play. The more chances you have to play in the area the more the sport is going to grow," says Hall.

Thompson and Hall say the sport provides a great workout and is a great way to meet new people.

"It's going to be so well used and that's the whole point of these courts," says Thompson.

"These are the nicest courts I have ever been on anywhere in the country, so I think they are going to be wildly popular," says Hall.

The new outdoor Pickleball courts are located at Calvary Hill Park in St. Cloud.