Imperial pickleball players introduce activity to youths

    Fifteen youths spent a week learning more about pickleball, a growing sport in Imperial that has regular adult players in action.
    A week-long camp was organized by Imperial Pickleball members June 12-16, when all aspects of the game were taught, said Marla Hamilton, an avid player and Imperial Pickleball member.
    She said the youths learned about hand-eye coordination, dinking skills, serving, serve-receive along with forehand and backhand skills. They also were paired up for full game experiences, she said.
    The group met at the courts in Campbell Park, although weather forced them indoors one of the days.
    Participating in the camp were Jordyn Stafford, Jaxsen Villarreal, Truman and Emalyn Olsen, Maria and John Adle, Grayson Owens, Lily Kuenning, Hadley Amen, Hadley Worth, LylaBeth Chandler, Rosalee Jenkins, Loralie and  Bernadette Greene and Zariah Carman.
    The Imperial Pickleball group and other players will be seeing some upgrades to the Campbell Park courts, which are also used for tennis.
    In April, the Imperial city council voted 4-0 to earmark $36,750 in sales tax funds for a new playing surface and lines marking out four pickleball courts.
    A bid from Pro Track and Tennis, Inc. of Bennington was accepted and includes resurfacing of the concrete-based courts and installation of a color coating system to the four courts. All areas needed will be patched and cracks filled, according to the proposal.
    Different colored lines will outline the courts to distinguish between the pickleball and tennis playing areas.
    Hamilton said a pickleball group started playing 4-5 years ago in Imperial and now has 25-30 members.
    They hope to extend their love of the game to younger players by hosting camps like last week’s, she said.