PIQUA – The Pickleball Plex, located outside of Piqua at 695 Loy Road, had its open house on Saturday, Dec. 3, to celebrate the opening of its new pickleball courts.

Co-owners Katy Jacomet and Angie Dilts opened the plex after playing pickleball together this summer. Katy and Mike Jacomet had a commercial building they wanted to repurpose which sparked the idea to create pickleball courts in order to play during the winter.

“However, knowing the increasing popularity of the sport along with the local need for indoor courts, it was a clear opportunity to create a local space dedicated to pickleball,” said Katy. “In just 90 days, (we) opened the Pickleball Plex.”

According to Katy, “Pickleball is a combination of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong. Tennis because of the court-like surface; badminton because of the shorter net; and ping-pong because of the paddles.”

Players use paddles to strike a plastic ball with holes. The game can be played with singles or doubles.

“Pickleball is a sport where really anyone of any age or athletic ability can play. You can play socially, competitively, or both!” according to Katy.

The Pickleball Plex will offer 24-hour services including the opportunity to reserve a court, open play, lessons, and in the future, depending on interest, leagues or tournament play. There are various paddles for people to try out and even purchase from beginners to advanced players. The cost is $20 per court per hour.

In order to reserve a court, players can book online, once the website launches. Players will be required to set up a player profile and sign an electron waiver. Once the player reserves a space and pays, they will receive an email confirmation which will include an access code to enter the building.

The Pickleball Plex will also be hosting events including “Skills for the Snowbirds” for individuals who head south for the winter.

Two games can be played simultaneously with the space of two courts in the building.

Dilts, Katy, and their husbands got involved with pickleball after Angie’s father, Jack McDaniel, provided lessons on how to play the game.

“After about one hour, we were all hooked, and for the last year, have been playing with friends once a week,” Katy said.

To someone who might be hesitant to try the game out, they want to say, “Definitely don’t be hesitant. There is a reason so many players get hooked on this sport. It’s easy to start, but hard to stop. The pickleball community is so welcoming and friendly.”

“Pickleball is good for the body, soul, and mind. It’s a great distraction from the everyday rat race. You will find yourself getting great exercise while having loads of fun. You don’t need much to get started… a paddle, a ball, and some friends,” commented Katy.