Pickleball courts coming along in Dixon

DIXON – The new pickleball courts are coming along in Dixon.

The Dixon Park District has been talking about pickleball courts for the last couple of years because of the growing popularity of the sport, which combines elements of badminton, table tennis and tennis.

Work is ahead of schedule for the six courts, being built on the foundation of the practice roller-hockey rink in Meadows Park. The fencing, sidewalks and electricity for the lighted courts is completed, and now staff needs 3 days in a row of 70-degree weather to paint them, district Executive Director Duane Long said.

Pickleball is played in town at the Emma Hubbs tennis courts and at Timber Creek Golf Course, but having courts in the Meadows will help fill community demand. They will be the only lighted outdoor courts from Dixon to Rockford, Long said.

Costs will likely total around $80,000 to $90,000. About $30,000 of the work will be done in-house by the maintenance department, another $30,000 will come from the recreation department budget, and the district raised the bulk of the rest through community donations.

Members of the Sauk Valley Pickleball Club helped the district with fundraising, and the first couple of tournaments should allow them to meet their fundraising goal.

The courts will also open up programming opportunities for kids camps, tournaments, senior leagues, clinics and more.

Donations can be made online at dixonparkdistrict.com or by calling the district at 815-284-3306.