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San Benito
March 29, 2024

Pickleball courts to replace tennis at San Juan School

The San Juan School tennis courts Saturday will transform permanently into courts for the increasingly popular game of pickleball.

With the help of a $5,000 donation approved by the San Juan Bautista City Council on Tuesday, the San Juan-Aromas Tennis Club has raised nearly $18,000 and was hundreds of dollars from reaching its goal for the project to install six pickleball courts at the site, said club Treasurer Teresa Lavagnino. The club previously received grant help from the Community Foundation for San Benito County as well.

“We’re going to complete the courts on Saturday,” she said Friday. “They’ll be completed. We’ve raised almost $17,800. We’re about $900 short.”

She said the club won’t have problems getting to the goal because there are two big fundraisers coming up in the next few weeks.

With the growing popularity of pickleball, which takes less agility and practice time to master than tennis, the club decided to fund a makeover for the courts. San Juan School is said to be supportive of the change since it’s easier for beginners to pick up than its counterpart sport.

According to the U.S. Pickleball Association, the sport combines elements of tennis, badminton and ping-pong. It is played on a badminton-size court with a modified tennis net. Players use a paddle and a plastic ball with holes.

Lavagnino said it’s fun, easy, social and appropriate for all ages.

“You can walk out there and within a half-hour, a beginner is playing,” she said.

And while some area courts allow for pickleball, this court will be somewhat distinct because it will have permanent lines and nets.

Lavagnino mentioned the club will be hosting a pickleball trainer doing clinics on Aug. 5 as well.

Two Upcoming Events at San Juan School Pickleball Courts:

Play Day with Helle Sparre: 5-6 p.m. Aug. 5

Pickleball Courts Grand Opening: 8:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Aug. 11

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