A tournament will be held Saturday to help showcase new pickleball courts in Parkersburg.
Joe Neymeyer is part of the organizing committee, and says the rise in popularity led to the installation of new courts at the All Play Ballpark complex.
“We had four courts built about four or five years ago down by the pool and that really just kind of triggered the growth in the sport here in Parkersburg,” Neymeyer says. “A lot of folks came out, started a league right after they were built and got it going there. And then just the last couple of years, we took the initiative to build some new courts that were more of a tennis court surface out in the All Play Ballpark complex. And we’ve got six courts there and they’re starting to be used now this year. We want to do a real nice kickoff for the new courts. So we scheduled this tournament. We want to get a lot of folks out there playing.”
Neymeyer encourages the public to attend.
“Green Belt Bank is sponsoring the tournament. They’re gonna have some good food there for free will donation. And I just really encourage everyone to come out and have a good time. We’ve got three divisions. They’re gonna be beginners, intermediate, and advanced. Again, just really excited to have the tournament, kick off a grand opening for the courts, and have a good time.”
The tournament will start at 8:00 a.m. and will include an exhibition match with professional pickleball player Cam Luhring between pool and bracket play.
Funds raised from the tournament will go to the Parkersburg Pickleball Court Fund.
