Noblesville Parks announces Pickleball open gym hours

The Noblesville Parks and Recreation Department has announced Pickleball open gym hours for the fall and winter. As Pickleball continues to grow in popularity, open gym hours offer a fun, competitive way for the community to play the sport. All skill levels are encouraged to participate in open gym hours to learn more about Pickleball.

Pickleball open gym hours will run from Wednesday, Sept. 12 to early April 2019 at the Recreation Annex at Ivy Tech Community College, 300 N. 17th St. Morning hours will take place from 9 a.m. to noon on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays; afternoon hours are 1 to 3 p.m. on Sundays; and evening hours of 6 to 8 p.m. will be available Wednesdays. Open gym will not be offered on Nov. 23 nor on Dec. 23, 24 and 31.

Noblesville Parks and Recreation will kick off its indoor Pickleball open gym season with a fun recreational tournament from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 10 in the Recreation Annex. First prize winners will take home a 12-visit punch pass valued at $50. The cost to participate is $5 per person, and the deadline to register is Tuesday, Sept. 4.

For those not familiar with the sport, Pickleball was created for all ages and skill levels and is played with a paddle and a plastic ball with holes. The rules are simple and the game is easy for beginners to learn, but can develop into a quick, fast-paced, competitive game for experienced players. Pickleball combines many elements of tennis, badminton and ping-pong. It is played indoors on a badminton-sized court with a slightly modified tennis net.

Pickleball participants should park on the east side of the building off of Harrison Street by Beaver Materials Field and enter through Gate 18. The cost for a drop-in player is $5, or a Punch Pass is available for $50 for 12 visits. For more information, or to register for the Pickleball tournament, contact the parks department at (317) 770-5750 or visit noblesvilleparks.org.