Pickleball Courts To Open At Owasso Park In January

New pickleball courts are coming to Owasso.

The City said the sport is growing in popularity, so it's trying to keep up with demand from excited players.

It can be a tight schedule for some players.

"We play Monday through Friday from 10 to Noon," said pickleball player Dave Williams.

Several games of pickleball are penciled into that schedule. He said he's been playing pickleball at the Owasso YMCA for the last nine months.

"It's an activity where I'm seriously competitive, I love to win, but I go home from pickleball not even knowing how many games I've won or how many games I've lost, just that I had a great time," Williams said.

He plays with his grandson some, but Williams usually picks up games with whoever is around that day. He said it's a great way to meet people.

"I'm 70, I won't say how old she is, but I've got her by about four decades and we still can have a good time playing with each other," Williams said.

Williams and his teammates will have a new place to play in just a few weeks.

The city's recreation and culture director Larry Langford has kept an eye on the sport's growing popularity.

"It continues to be a phenomenon, a new sport that people of all ages can enjoy," Langford said.

After hearing from people in town about interest in the sport, the City will now remove a basketball court in need of repairs at Rayloa Park.

Three new pickleball courts will take its place.

"Our goal is to find amenities that bring people outside, and enjoy the outdoors, enjoy our parks," Langford said.

He said the city will watch how the new courts will be used and will consider building more at other parks around town.

The City said it's hopeful to have the new courts open at Rayola Park by sometime in January.