Beaufort Gets a New Pickleball Complex: The Early Christmas Gift Every Player Needs!
Beaufort, the charming coastal city, is gearing up for an exciting holiday season with the opening of a brand-new pickleball complex at South Side Park! This delightfully bustling park, located off of Battery Creek Road, is set to unveil its four new public courts in early December. And guess what? This fantastic addition is just in time for winter fun as the sport continues to take the region by storm!
Pickleball Fever: It’s Not Just a Trend!
The popularity of pickleball has soared recently, and Beaufort County is fully embracing it. Notably, the $635,000 Southside Park project is part of the county’s overall $154.2 million budget for the fiscal year 2025. The anticipation is palpable among local players who can’t wait to hit the new courts, which will join the already existing two courts that opened in 2021.
Now, if you haven’t heard about pickleball, let’s break it down! This thrilling sport combines elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis. Picture this: players use a plastic ball with holes, similar to a whiffle ball, and strike it with paddles that are about twice the size of traditional ping-pong paddles—all on a badminton-sized court with a 34-inch high net. It’s simple, social, and deeply fun! And let’s be honest; who doesn’t love a little friendly competition?
Growing Demand for Courts
The new courts at South Side Park will make it six total, establishing it as the second largest pickleball complex north of the Broad River. Just last year, Beaufort County opened eight new courts at the Burton Wells Recreation Center, located about nine miles northwest of Southside Park. Since 2021, Beaufort County has constructed a remarkable 18 public pickleball courts, showing just how much the community values this exhilarating sport.
Hannah Nichols, a spokesperson for Beaufort County, has shared that the county has seen a tremendous response to the new facilities at Burton Wells, and the enthusiasm just keeps growing. She also noted, “We expect the sport, and the need for courts, to continue to grow.” And she’s absolutely right! There are thousands of active pickleball enthusiasts in Beaufort County who are eager to play, connect, and enjoy the game.
National Numbers Are Jaw-Dropping!
Did you know that nationwide, there are approximately 13.6 million players engaged in pickleball? That’s a massive number, and as the excitement builds, there are even more than 50,003 places to play across the United States. It’s clear that pickleball isn’t just a passing fancy; it’s a sport that’s here to stay!
Community Efforts to Keep Up
Not to be left out, the Town of Hilton Head also recognizes the increasing demand for pickleball courts. Recently, they allocated $250,000 to convert existing tennis/pickleball courts at Old Schoolhouse Park into six dedicated pickleball courts. This is just one of the many steps being taken to accommodate the community’s growing interest in the sport. Plus, there are plans for even bigger developments, including a potential 24-court pickleball complex at Chaplin Park.
And it doesn’t stop there! In Bluffton, a private indoor pickleball facility known as The Local Pickle is slated to open soon, bringing even more opportunities for locals to engage with the sport. With 11 courts and a central location, it’s sure to be a hit among players.
What’s Next for Beaufort’s Pickleball Community?
As the holiday season approaches, local pickleball players and enthusiasts can look forward to a fantastic new place to enjoy their favorite sport. The anticipation for the new courts at South Side Park is building, and it promises to be an early Christmas gift for everyone involved. So grab a paddle, gather your friends, and get ready to serve up some fun!
