_e Jim Lucas Checotah Public Library has always stood out from other libraries due to its outstanding sta who goes above and beyond for their community. However, now they may be the st library in Oklahoma with a pickleball court and that’s a big “dill.” _at’s right, what started as a labor of love with former Library Branch Manager Kathe Smith and a grant she wrote to bring pickleball to the community has ally come to fruition.
Mayor Daniel Tarkington stood before the community last _ursday morning to recognize Smith’s hard work, along with the city’s commitment, that ally completed the pickleball court this June.
Tarkington then brought forth a proclamation that proclaimed June as pickleball month in the City of Checotah.”
_e pickleball court was made possible through a Health Literacy Grant for $9,000 from the Oklahoma Department of Libraries. Additional support came from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, Eastern Oklahoma Library System, Peoples National Bank of Checotah, Armstrong Bank, First Family Federal Credit Union, Friends of the Library, family of Eli Wallace, and Dr. Maurice & Gretchen Payne. _e City of Checotah graciously provided funds for what has not been covered by the grant and donations. _ey also oversaw the construction of the pickleball court.
Pickleball was orginally invented in 1965 by three fathers from Bainbridge Island, Washington to entertain their children who were bored with traditional games. So Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney Mc-Callum made by hand equipment for the game from items they had lying around the house. Then they made up new rules that were a mix of tennis, badminton, and table tennis rules, to create a fun new game that the whole family could enjoy and pickleball was created.
Despite the name, pickleball really had nothing to do with actual pickles and there are two origins of how it got its name. One belief is that Pritchard’s wife, Joan, saw the hodgepodge of equipment being used and said it looked like a pickle boat. Another belief is that they named it after Joel Pritchard’s Cocker Spaniel, Pickles, who enjoyed chasing the ball while his owners played.
Some other interesting fun facts about pickleball: Pickleball has continued to grow in popularity among adults with 68% of pickleball players being above the age of 60.
Pickleball is almost equally as popular among men and women, with 53% of players being male and 47% being female.
Due to its growing popularity, pickleball is now taught in many grade schools and junior high schools.
Like tennis, pickleball can be played as both a singles and doubles sport and has rules that allow teams with standing players and wheelchaired players to play each other.
Playing pickleball has a myriad of health benefits for middle-aged and older people. It can help reduce the risk of a stroke or a heart attack.
Along with the mayor, several city councilmen and chamber members attended the grand opening of the court. As did Leslie Gelders from the Oklahoma Department of Libraries, and other EOLS staff, Christina Linz, Gloria Farmer,Wendy Burton and Erin Bruner.
The new Library Branch Manager Kenneth Matthews, along with library staff Beth Sherrill, Pat Murr, Crystal Tiger and Laura Robbins were pleased with the community turnout and are ready to watch families enjoy this new space.
Pickleball equipment is available to be checked out at the library or families can bring their own equipment and play.
The pickleball court will be open for the community to enjoy year-round, weather permitting, and will follow the city’s rules for park hours, closing at dark.
