Game On!

There was a time when pickleball was a sport very few people knew about and was labeled by many as beneath their level of athleticism - even calling it a sport for "retired tennis players." It is time to take a closer look at the sport that has become one of the fastest-growing recreational activities in the nation! Often referred to as a mix between tennis, racquetball, and ping pong, pickleball has likely become so popular because it is a game for all ages.

According to the 2022 Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) Single Sport Report on Pickleball, the sport's popularity grew in 2021 to 4.8 million players in the US., with the majority of the population spanning the South Atlantic Region. Also reported by SIFA:

• The average age for all players continues to drop, to 38.1 years old in 2021, a decrease of 2.9 years from 2020.

• The growth of total participants from 2020 to 2021 was the fastest among players under 24 years of age. (21%)

The House of Pickleball – Bringing Their A-Game

With the growth trajectory that pickleball has shown, landscape architects have every indication to factor this into their project repertoire as a significant part of the American sporting landscape for a variety of private and public facilities. 

Looking to meet the demand of local pickleball enthusiasts, the City of Newnan selected the design-build team of HGOR and Headley Construction to provide design and implementation services for the House of Pickleball. The City desired a multi-functional recreational facility to accommodate hundreds of pickleballers in the Newnan and surrounding areas, to which the project team approached the assignment utilizing a non-traditional method. They engaged with the Coweta County pickleball community in a series of collaborative efforts to perfect the proposed location, pedestrian flow and conceptual site plans. Having consulted those who know the facility's needs the most, the community engagement component also provided a true sense of pride and appreciation for the best-designed pickleball facility around!

Today's 15-court facility is located adjacent to the Newnan Public Safety Complex, near C.J. Smith Park and the LINC, and is commonly referred to by local picklers as the HOP. The facility's features include LED lighting, a large-scale enhanced shade pavilion, smaller shade structures courtside, restrooms and a concessions area.

Since the HOP opened in the fall of 2021, the community has enjoyed a new activity that 'serves' the City of Newnan with a safe, custom-built club developed for players of all ages. Not only is the HOP a destination that the community can be proud of and excited about - it has been invaluable for the City of Newnan, unifying the community through their love of the game.

“Pickleball is immensely popular here in Newnan. Our facility, The Hop, has become a community gathering place and has provided a fun space for people to connect with their neighbors.” – Aimee Hadden, City of Newnan