People of all ages in the Coastal Bend are getting drawn to pickleball. The Corpus Christi Athletic Club is expanding to accommodate more pickleball lovers.
Tom Deimler, the president and general manager of the Corpus Christi Athletic Club, mentioned that the new pickleball complex will offer club members greater flexibility and accessibility.
Over the past six months, the club has noticed a huge surge in interest in pickleball. “It’s the hottest sport in America right now. What we’re hearing is that people simply want more – more courts, more time on those courts, more clinics, lessons, just more of everything related to pickleball,” Deimler expressed.
To cater to this booming demand, the Corpus Christi Athletic Club is building a top-notch pickleball complex. This expansion will feature eight new indoor, air-conditioned courts. Deimler believes these additions will greatly benefit the club, especially given its thriving tennis community. “Between our tennis and pickleball players, we’re running out of space, so it’s time to grow,” he explained.
Local schools are also riding the pickleball wave. Amy Bull, a health and P.E. specialist from CCISD, shared that high schools received pickleball gear through a grant, and it’s now a part of the skill-based lifetime activities courses.
Deimler credits the sport’s widespread appeal to its inclusivity. “From young kids to grandparents, the whole family can join in. That’s the charm of it – anyone, regardless of age, can enjoy the game,” he said.