The Minot Park District announces eight new pickleball courts coming to Roosevelt Park. The new pickleball complex will replace the three current tennis courts at the park. Construction will begin this spring and is scheduled to be completed in August.

“Pickleball has really exploded in popularity over the past five years and Minot is no exception,” said Ron Merritt, executive director of the Minot Park District. “The Minot Park Board made the decision in January to move forward with the renovation of the current tennis courts in Roosevelt Park. We are grateful for the continued partnership with Minot Junior Golf Association that made this possible.”

The Minot Park District has had an increased demand for more access to pickleball courts in the past few years. In 2019 new courts were constructed at Riverside Park. However, pickleball popularity has grown exponentially in the last four years. A generous donation from the Minot Junior Golf Association will help construct the new pickleball complex.

“The Minot pickleball community is excited and grateful for the upcoming Roosevelt Park renovation project. The Riverside Park pickleball courts have been great, but we have simply outgrown their capacity due to the game’s local and national popularity,” said Paul Ulrickson, a local pickleball enthusiast. “The Minot Park District board and staff continue to be receptive and eager partners. The Roosevelt pickleball renovation project satisfies current needs, allows for future growth and opens doors for tournament and event hosting. The project would not have been possible without the generosity of the Minot Junior Golf Association. This work can serve as a blueprint for achieving sustainable, low-overhead projects that promote physical activity, sociability and overall community betterment through local partnerships.”

Pickleball is a low-impact racket game that is popular among tennis players and others. Its rise in popularity is thanks to its simple rules and inclusive nature. The game itself is a combination of tennis, badminton and ping-pong.