Update:
The grand opening for the Con Gilmore Pickleball Courts has been postponed. The city says rain on Monday night caused damage to the final layer of the courts and that layer will need to be replaced.
The city is working on getting more material and will announce when the new ribbon cutting and grand opening will happen.
Original Story:
These days, finding an available court is more challenging than playing pickleball. With the game increasing in popularity each day, cities like Pocatello are working to make courts more accessible to pickleball fanatics.
Located in Lower Ross Park in Pocatello, The Parks and Recreation Department is opening five new pickleball courts free for the public.
Con Gilmore Pickleball Courts officially open Tuesday, at 10 a.m. following a grand opening ceremony with a ribbon cutting and special guests like the mayor and the city council. The public is invited to participate and honor the court's namesake Con Gilmore for his contributions as a former Parks and Recreation director who worked for the city for 37 years.
“He was someone that you would at least recognize most of the amenities in our park system that we have today, and they're because of him. So I think it's a small token of appreciation and we're excited to be able to make that happen,” said Parks and Recreation Director Anne Butler.
The courts have LED lighting that shuts off at 10 p.m. and a rotation system for when the courts become crowded.
The new courts were highly requested by the community of Pocatello. The Parks and Recreation Department strives to offer resources to people of all ages in their community so they can be active and exercise.
“It's a way to get people out and about and have some activity, but it's also important to make sure they're getting the exercise that they need to stay healthy. When resources are tight, our park system is definitely in high demand,” Butler said.
For more updates about the courts, visit City of Pocatello - City Hall on Facebook.