CityView Magazine

Discove r Cit yV iewN C.co m's fre s h up d ate d loo k ! | 23 Tickets On Sale NOW! Give every child a voice! For more info, or to purchase tickets, visit CACFayNC.org, or call 910.486.9700. Thank you to all our generous sponsors. For a complete list, please visit CACFayNC.org. Saturday, March 21, 6-10pm crown Center Ballroom To benefit the Child Advocacy Center Rock Stars Platinum Presenting Champions for Children Horne Brothers �� Con s tr uc tio n, Inc. www.hbc-inc.com 1.800.998.0320 Hope Mills Recreation Center was the only site that offered the sport. e pioneering group of players, which includes, to name a few, Wayne Mayes, Horace Whitaker, Beatrice Beishline, Donn and Terry Hendrickson, Jason Campbell and Clarence Caldwell, approached Myers Recreation Center Director Monique Gilbert about setting up courts at her center. "She's been our biggest supporter," Fujimoto said. "We appreciate her support so much." Gilbert allocated funds for a few nets, paddles and balls, then set aside that Wednesday evening timeslot, which has proven popular for the group. When it came time to resurface the basketball court, she had the crew paint pickleball lines. "is group is a pleasure to have around," she said. "I love having them here, and I'm glad to help in any way I can." Beishline introduced Sharon O'Hara to the game, who now is a regular with her husband, Pat. She points out another advantage of pickleball's friendly atmosphere. "As a member of a military family, I moved many times and never had time to meet people in community where I lived," said O'Hara, who won a gold medal in pickleball with Beishline in the Cumberland County Senior Games a few years ago. "Pickleball in Fayetteville is like having a great big family that loves you whether you win or lose a game." Opportunities for play are growing. Gilbert introduced the local players to Tommy Stewart at J.S. Spivey Recreation Center. "Now we can play six days a week," Fujimoto said. Another big plus was the addition of three beautiful outdoor courts at Massey Hill Park, complete with lines and nets. e old tennis courts at Rowan Street Park also are now lined for pickleball, though nets have yet to be added. Phil Harris, a lifelong Fayetteville resident who is executive director of the Highlands chapter of the American Red Cross, sees opportunities to grow pickleball in Fayetteville. He started played a few months ago, and he's hooked. "It seems like we're talking about things like soccer complexes which are expensive propositions," he said. "Maybe we could get some of the other rec centers onboard with pickleball. It's a different model than other sports. e barrier for entry is pretty low. All you need is a racquet and some tennis shoes. It's not like skiing or golf where you need clubs, green fees, li tickets." PLACES TO PLAY PICKLEBALL Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 9:30 a.m.-noon; Wednesday, 6 to 8:45 p.m., Myers Recreation Center, 1018 Rochester Ave. Tuesday and Thursday, 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Hope Mills Recreation Center, 5766 Rockfish Rd. Beginning in March: Saturday, J.S. Spivey Rec Center, 500 Fisher St., from 1-4 p.m. The sport has long been popular in some resort communities. In North Carolina, Holden Beach recently added pickleball courts, and Ocean Isle Beach has had courts for a few years. But the House of Pickleball in Leland, just outside Wilmington, seems to have set a new standard. The HOP, as it's called, draws players from around the state, including Fayetteville. It's billed as a world-class indoor facility that hosts tournaments featuring players at the highest skill level. Fayetteville native Jayshawn Campbell recently won a gold medal in the Dink for Pink tournament at the HOP.

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