The fastest-growing sport in the world has made its way to Geneva.
Pickleball, once something of a fringe sport, is working its way into the school district’s physical education curriculum and the recreational pastimes of residents thanks to a collaboration between the Town of Geneva and the Geneva City School District.
At the instigation of a local cadre of pickleball aficionados, the school district and the town combined resources to revamp unused tennis courts at Geneva High School into eight pickleball courts.
“We want our campus to be a vibrant, frequently used space that’s accessible not just to students and staff but to the greater community,” said Geneva City School Superintendent Bo Wright.
The high school tennis courts were replaced by new tennis courts at the middle school several years ago due to structural concerns for a portion of the space. Because pickleball courts are significantly smaller, the district was able to repurpose the usable portion of the old tennis courts for pickleball. The cost will be split between the school district and the town.
Further contributing to the communal effort, the pickleball enthusiasts who initiated the project — George Fairfax, Lisa Defrancesco, Lowell Dewey, Olga and John Zakour, Dawn Fishback, and Kim Naimoli —pitched in to purchase half of the nets.
“It’s a good partnership,” said Town Supervisor Mark Venuti. “Pickleball is a rapidly growing sport,” he added. “They’re talking about making it an Olympic sport. Now the school has eight pickleball courts for its use, the public has eight pickleball courts for its use, and both sides saved money—I think that’s what should be done.”
“It’s absolutely beautiful over there — it exceeded my expectations,” said Wright. “It’s a great example of community collaboration for the greater good.”
The pickleball courts are available to town residents on weekends, after school, and during school breaks (barring any special events). They are located behind the high school, just north of Loman Stadium.
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