University of the Pacific has partnered with Taktika Padel, a tennis program of the Barnes Tennis Center in San Diego, to construct a new 12-court complex in support of the rapid growth of pickleball. Taktika’s partnership with Pacific will help to construct, operate and maintain the complex, consisting of “eight courts for the popular U.S. sport of pickleball and four for padel … equipped with lights and video cameras for live streaming,” according to a University of the Pacific news release from August.
Pickleball is an incorporation of badminton, tennis and ping-pong. The sport’s rise in United States popularity may vary by reason, but the numbers don’t lie. Pickleball has seen an unprecedented growth rate of 158.6 percent over a span of three years, averaging 36.5 million U.S. pickleball players with 10,320 locations to play, according to a state of the industry report from Pickleheads (pickleheads.com) and the Sports & Industry Fitness Association. “With 8.9 million participants in 2022, the number of new participants in pickleball exceeded the total number of pickleball participants in 2021,” the 2023 report reads.
Pickleball is gaining traction locally as well. “It is kind of like tennis, but the size of the court is similar to a badminton court, and we play with paddles,” said Nissi Guiao, Pickleball Club Administrator and front-desk associate of In-Shape Health Club, located at 1074 E. Bianchi Road. “It is very easy to get hooked! My aunt and I began playing at In-Shape three times a week, then almost everyday, next thing I know, I was suddenly asked if I wanted a job and the rest is history.”
Guiao said pickleball may have grown in popularity for a number of reasons, but for her it has changed her life. “I’ve gotten more fit, built amazing connections, I have tons of fun, and I get to be a part of a pickleball club here at In-Shape, where Stockton’s pickleball club originated,” said Guiao.
According to Pickleheads.com, California holds 1,014 pickleball court locations, with five courts located in Stockton. This number doesn’t include the current construction of Pacific’s new court complex. “We are really just at the preliminary stages of construction,” said Mike Klocke, Senior Director of Media Relations at University of the Pacific. Although the expected completion date has yet to be released, according to Pacific’s online news article; the first Pickleball/Padel tournament is set to take place Oct. 14, 2023 at Pacific’s homecoming and family weekend.
Pickleball is a growing community of local games, players (pickleheads) of all ages, and a fun way to be fit. With five courts located at In-Shape on West Lane, Oak Park Senior Center, Fritz Grupe Park, Marina Tennis Club and Stribley Community Center, pickleball is turning into a big “dill” nationally and locally. But would Delta ever consider it a sport? “Due to its increase in popularity, we’re thinking about adding a P.E sector for Pickleball … although not definitive,” said Tony Espinoza, Delta College’s athletic director.