Kent and Margaret Wheeler have been enthusiastic fans of pickleball for several years.
The couple retired to Port Rowan over a decade ago and recently relocated to Tillsonburg.
Now the Wheelers are working to bring the sport to Hickory Hills, an adult lifestyle community in Oxford County.
“Just trying to … give them an idea of what it is. Give them a feel for the ball, the pickleball paddle,” said Kent Wheeler. “Just a straight introduction – and kind of encourage them.”
The London Pickleball Club provided a net for the weekend while Singleton Paddles supplied paddles and balls.
Besides having fun, the Wheelers aim to keep people active. It’s a game that can be enjoyed at any age, noted Kent Wheeler, who began playing pickleball ten years ago in Florida.
“It’s easier for the body. There’s not as much running around like tennis and that ball makes it easier to play. It’s an easy game to pick up.”
According to Kent Wheeler, Pickleball Ontario is now starting to introduce the sport in public schools because there isn’t a steep learning curve and it encourages activity.
The Wheelers were happy with the initial turnout, which exceeded their expectations.
In the long run, they plan on purchasing their own nets, paddles, and balls.
“If we can keep the interest, and we can get the board’s buy-in, that is the intent. It’s not a big outlay, so we hope we can get it going. We’ve got our fingers crossed.”
Pickleball has been available in town before, but Wheeler believes there’s something appealing about having it at Hickory Hills.
“The reason we like it here is … everybody is handy to here. Sometimes people don’t want to travel, but they don’t mind coming here, so that’s why we’re trying to get it here indoors.”
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