What's Happening in Cottonwood Heights, UT…

Cottonwood Heights has joined the list of communities across the country enjoying the rapidly-growing sport of pickleball.

The Cottonwood Heights Parks and Recreation Department recently announced that it has added new pickleball courts to the number available at the city's recreation center, doubling the total from three to six. The department was able to build the courts thanks to a partnership among the department, the city, and the Salt Lake County (TRCC) Program.

Mike Peterson, the mayor of Cottonwood Heights, became aware of the game approximately seven years ago, at a conference where a professional introduced the game. Peterson brought it back to the city, started an indoor effort, but says “no one wanted to play.” Several years later, Peterson tried again, and this time the sport took off.

The game is not only new to the community, but relatively new to everybody. Barney McCallum, Bill Bell, and Joel Pritchard made up the game in 1965 in Washington State. The story goes that the three went to play golf on a Saturday, and returned to find their families bored. They decided to play badminton, but couldn't find the shuttlecock, so they improvised a new game and pickleball was born.

Peterson says the game appeals to many people because it's fun, easy to learn, and anyone of any age and ability can play successfully. Poster printing can be used in situations like this to direct visitors to the new courts.