Photo: Jim and Lorna Popofski cut the ribbon officially inaugurating the Town’s four new dedicated pickleball courts. (Photo by Mary Spring.)
By Mary Spring
It was an exciting day last Monday when pickleball players celebrated the opening of the four new pickleball courts in Huntsville.
Lorna and Jim Popofski began Huntsville Muskoka Pickleball in 2014. Initially, they were lucky to get 6 players out for a game. Over 135 players are registered with the Town of Huntsville to play this great sport. Pickleball is currently the fastest-growing sport in North America.
Since 2014, Lorna, Jim and their friend Sharon Huckle have offered free adult and junior clinics to introduce the sport of Pickleball to Huntsville and the surrounding communities. Lorna and Jim organized pickleball lessons for 9-14-year-old children in Huntsville for two summers. Each week the children were given one on one instruction from dedicated pickleball volunteers. At the end of the session, they organized Pickleball Olympics, which was a fun way to end the sessions.
They have nurtured and enhanced the skills of pickleball players by offering 2 1/2 hour pickleball drills twice a week. They have secured excellent venues like the Canada Summit Centre and the Muskoka Bible Centre so that pickleball was available to our community all year long. Their most tangible accomplishment was their well-planned and articulate plea for designated Pickleball courts to the Huntsville Town Council. Their proposal was accepted and at this time four designated courts are now open at McCaulley Robertson Park in Huntsville, Ontario.
Huntsville’s pickleball players are thankful to the Town of Huntsville and to these dedicated volunteers who are encouraging people of all ages to participate in this great sport. The introduction of this sport has allowed individuals to meet new friends and stay active. Well done Huntsville.
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