By Richard Sullins | richard@rantnc.com

As the decade reaches its midpoint, the fastest growing sport in America today remains pickleball – which has stayed at the top of the list despite the number of available courts continuing to lag behind the growing numbers who want to play.

Broadway Mayor Donald Andrews told the town’s Board of Commissioners in late March that he’s been approached several times by citizens of the town inquiring about possibilities for one or possibly two pickleball courts somewhere within the town’s limits and that he wanted to get input from the Board before any further steps were taken.

One potential site for a pickleball court in Broadway would be on Forest Avenue. Depending on the court size and how they might be configured, this location could potentially be large enough for two courts.

Pickleball was created in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, Washington, by three dads who were taking some vacation time. One of the three, Joel Pritchard, later served in the United States Congress and as Washington’s lieutenant governor. The game was made up of leftover equipment from several sports: a badminton court, paddleball paddles, a whiffle ball, and a net height like that of tennis.

So, how much?

Commissioner Jim Paschal asked the question that was on everyone’s mind: “How much would it cost?”

Andrews hadn’t come equipped with estimates or proposals. But an internet search yields estimates ranging from as low at $10,000 to as high as $50,000 or more, depending on how the site is to be equipped. A basic court can range from $10,000 to $25,000, which includes leveling the ground, laying the concrete or asphalt base, surfacing, and installing a net. Add fencing, lighting for night operations (with or without coin operation capabilities), and security cameras and the costs go up from there.

Commissioner April Collins said “costs would be a determining factor for me,” echoing sentiments expressed earlier by Mayor Pro Tem Tommy Beale.

“From what I have heard here tonight, no one on the board is against it. But I think all of us are curious about what the costs would be,” Beale said.

Commissioner Lynne Green likewise said that she was not against the idea, “but I’m curious about the timing. We have several other things that are facing the town now, and all of them are very costly.”

Mayor Andrews said he has questions about how pickleball courts might operate and that he would like to engage with the City of Sanford and Lee County to seek their advice and input, but he felt that he needed the Broadway Commissioners’ blessings before he progressed to that step. Andrews said he also believes that a matching grant for the project might be available through the North Carolina Parks and Recreation Trust Fund when the application window opens again next spring.

With approval granted by the commissioners, Andrews promised to investigate and come back to the Board with a fuller report in the near future.