Valley pickleball group offers exercise, friendship
BY DANIEL SCHMIDT
THE LAFAYETTE SUN
VALLEY — In the quiet stillness of a Thursday morning at the Valley Community Center, the sharp smack of a paddle hitting a hard, orange plastic ball breaks through the tranquility.
Two courts are going, sometimes three. The group of six regulars greeted each other by name, first dividing into two pairs on either side of a mobile net on the basketball courts in the main gymnasium.
Somebody's new paddle gets admired before the next serve, and playful banter flows as more players slowly file into the facility to play despite the Fourth of July being just two days away.
It’s 10 a.m., and pickleball is underway in earnest.
What began nearly two years ago as a single net set up on a whim has grown into one of the community center's most popular programs, with this twice-weekly gathering mixing fitness with friendship for players ranging from their 50s into their 80s.
Bobby Poer, the Valley Parks and Recreation Department’s fitness manager, said the idea took shape as pickleball gained traction around the nation.
“We thought that it would be good to try to get at least something going to see if it would build here,” Poer said.
A former fitness instructor, Jamie Quinton, and Rhonda Prather, who used to run the center's Silver Sneakers program, helped get things started with just a handful of participants and a single net.
As interest grew, the center added more nets — now occasionally four in total — and promoted the sessions on social media.
Poer said much of the program's growth has come organically, with those frequenting the community center for other reasons stopping to watch and deciding to give it a try.
“They come down and ask about it, and we get them involved in it, let them try it out, see if they like it,” Poer said.
For those hesitant to jump in without any experience, Poer occasionally hosts a how-to clinic that aims to get people knowledgeable and comfortable with the sport.
What started with a handful of players has grown to roughly 25 people involved in the program, with anywhere from eight to 16 showing up on a given day.
“There has been a significant jump, as people see it on our social media posts, and see the older people having a good time, and the younger people can have a good time with it too,” Poer said.
The group’s future could eventually include a standalone pickleball facility if the program keeps growing at its current pace.
For now, court time is limited by the community center's other programming, including basketball leagues and youth programs.
“If we had that, we'd draw a lot more people,” Poer said.
For many players, the appeal goes beyond exercise.
Jeff Page, 80, said he started playing just over a year and a half ago after watching a group having fun and deciding to buy an $18 paddle from a discount store.
“I’ve enjoyed it ever since; it’s a lot of fun,” Page said, describing the atmosphere among regulars as one of friendly competition. “Nobody really is very serious. We like to win, but no one keeps track.”
Page, who has had both knees and a shoulder replaced, said he's often the oldest player on the court.
“If I can do it, anybody can do it,” Page said. “It also helps if you take a little bit of care of yourself.”
The social side of the program runs just as deep as the athletic side.
Players gather for cookouts a couple of times a year, including a recent Fourth of July luncheon with hamburgers and hot dogs after a morning of play.
Regulars stay in touch through a group text to coordinate who's showing up on a given day, and one player has even arranged additional playing time through a connection at a local church.
“We all started from zero,” Page said. “Most of us had never played before we got here, so we all learned together.”
Gloria Bailey, 73, echoed that sentiment when asked what keeps her coming back as a newer player.
Although she first joined the group roughly six months ago, she said she has started coming in more consistently in recent weeks and months.
“There are lots of people to hang out and spend time with here, so that’s fun,” Bailey said. “I enjoy reaching out and trying to hit the ball and moving my feet, but that’s so hard.”
Other players emphasized the program's inclusive, low-pressure nature.
Both Poer and Page said the biggest barrier for newcomers is often just showing up for the first time.
Extra paddles are available to borrow, and regulars make a point of pairing new players with others of a similar skill level.
“Basically all they’ve got to do is show up and show some interest, and we’ll let them play and go from there,” Page said.
Those interested in joining may visit the Valley Community Center, located at 130 Sportsplex Dr., or contact Poer at bpoer@cityofvalley.com or (706) 518-5913. Sessions are held Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. until noon ET, with participation free for members and $5 for nonmembers.
