Pickleball is set to make a racket thanks to the official opening of a new outdoor venue in Portarlington this week.
Drysdale Clifton Springs Pickleball Club’s (DCSPC) new outdoor venue opened at the Portarlington Recreation Reserve on 18 February.
DCSPC president Sue Shannon said the venue would support the growth of pickleball on the Bellarine and that the sport was “here to stay”.
“Our membership continues to grow, and the demand for hard-court facilities is clear,” she said.
“We are excited to establish the first true outdoor hardcourt pickleball venue in the Geelong region and to work in partnership with City of Greater Geelong Council and the Portarlington Tennis Club to make this happen.”
DCSPC will have access to Portarlington Tennis Club’s courts under a shared-use arrangement, which provides the club with exclusive use of the courts during scheduled sessions.
The site also offers a strong foundation for development with 14 marked pickleball courts, despite not yet being dedicated to pickleball courts.
Painted pickleball lines were recently completed, and work continues to progress quickly, including the installation of footpaths to ensure all-ability access.
The new venue, branded ‘Pickle@Port’, will host outdoor sessions, which align with the growing number of major pickleball tournaments now played outdoors.
The Portarlington courts will further diversify sporting options for the community, and DCSPC will continue to operate its indoor sessions at Drysdale Primary School Hall.
City of Greater Geelong councillor Rowan Story officially opened the courts, with other council staff and pickleball club representatives in attendance.
