Pickleball players raise money for more courts

WILLIAMSBURG — Having an outdoor pickleball court at Williamsburg Community Recreation Center would open the sport to more people, says Pickleball Iowa County, but the nonprofit needs about $200,000 to make it happen.

Pickleball has become a popular sport nationally, and Iowa County has its enthusiasts.

“They started having it here,” said Mindi Slaymaker from Williamsburg Community Recreation Center last week. Then a group began meeting for pickleball at the Iowa Valley Elementary School in Marengo.

But there are no outdoor courts that would allow people to play at unscheduled times and without having to pay.

“And we wanted to encompass the whole county,” said Slaymaker.

“We have a lot of people across the county coming here to play,” said Jodi Stahl, but they can play only during hours that the Rec Center is open and when space isn’t being used for other sports.

Working people have said they want a place to play pickleball after work, said Stahl. So Pickleball Iowa County conceived of the idea to have outdoor courts at the Rec Center.

“It’s really about, what can we do for our community?” said Mary Wetjen. Pickleball is a sport played by all ages. It provides social interaction and improves mental health, she said.

Recently Pickleball Iowa County hosted a tournament, and people from the ages of 14-72 placed together. “[They] had the best time together,” said Stahl.

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People make friends. They make connections and find a sense of belonging, Stahl said.

“That’s what’s driven us,” said Wetjen. “We want to give back because we want this for everyone.”

The sport has grown a lot locally in the last three or four months,” said Slaymaker.

According to Pickleball USA, 18,455 new courts were added across the country in 2024, for a total of 68,458 nationwide. Pickleball has been the fastest-growing sport in America for four consecutive years, the organization said.

The Iowa County pickleball players see new players all the time, said Stahl.

“It’s something you can do with strangers and become friends,” said Wetjen. The benefits are hard to measure.

“And people will drive,” said Slaymaker. “I go to Iowa City and North English to play. Once you’re hooked, you don’t mind driving.”

She’s sure people will drive from all over Iowa County — and from Keokuk and Poweshiek Counties — to play at Williamsburg if courts are available.

The Williamsburg City Council, which owns the recreation center, gave the group permission to construct four courts outside the center. Pickleball Iowa County will have to pay for construction of the concrete courts and the fencing around it. The group is planning fundraisers, accepting donations and applying for grants to make that happen.

“We feel if we raise half of that, we can get the grants,” said Wetjen. Laura Sauser with Iowa County Community Development is helping the group find grant opportunities, they said. They need community support early so they can show it on grant applications.

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Stahl said that pickleball players take their equipment with them when they travel and play whenever they have time. She envisions that happening at the Rec Center during sporting events on the outdoor fields there. Parents and siblings watching other sports can play pickleball between games.

“We’re doing it because it’s good for our community,” said Wetjen. “It’s good physically. It’s good mentally. But we need everyone’s support.”

Pickleball Iowa County would like to break ground in the summer and play on the new courts before winter, the women said. That’s going to take early donations so they can show community support when applying for grants during the spring cycle.

Large and small donations are welcome and should be mailed to Pickleball Iowa County, P.O. Box 600, Williamsburg, IA 52361. A PayPal option is available at pickleballiowacounty.org, and Venmo donations are accepted.

Anyone who contributes between $5,000 and $9,999 will be designated a Gold Sponsor. Silver Sponsors contribute $2,500 to $4,999, and Bronze Sponsors contribute $1,000 to $2,499.

Signage on the fence will recognize sponsors, said Wetjen.

“We recognize that businesses get asked a lot,” said Wetjen. Pickleball Iowa County is asking for donations from community members as well and have planned several fundraiser.

The Spring Dink tournament is set for March 21. Teams can play for $20 per team and should register on Facebook or on the website.

On April 25, Sundown Bar and Grill will give a percentage of all pizza sales to Pickleball Iowa County and will host a live auction to raise money for the pickleball courts.

On June 8, Fireside Winery will host a pickleball event. “It’s kind of still in the works,” Slaymaker said.

Pickleball Iowa County plans to continue expanding opportunities for the sport and amenities for players. The four courts at the Rec Center are just the beginning.

“We have to start somewhere,” Slaymaker said.

As popular as the sport has become, they might be able to have a league in the future. Pickleball provides social interaction, something adults can lose when they are no longer shuttling their children to school events and athletics, the woman said.

Slaymaker thinks that’s why the sport has grown so much. “And it’s super fun,” she said.

Stahl sees similarities between the pickleball initiative and Dyersville’s Field of Dreams. “If we build it, they will come,” she said. “They play it once, they’ll be back.”

“We’re confident these courts will be busy,” said Slaymaker