Parks manager James Mcgrath, ARPA coordinator Gina Armstrong, Berkshire Mountain Pickleball's Michael Gilardi, Parks Commission Chair Paula Albro, Mayor Peter Marchetti and Recreation and Special Events Coordinator Maddy Brown cut the ribbon on the new courts.

Marchetti said former Mayor Linda Tyer had been invited to the match but had to decline. Tyer had championed the courts during her tenure.

The six courts are located on the northeast corner of Springside Park near the Doyle Softball Complex on Benedict Road.

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Michael Gilardi, founder of Berkshire Mountain Pickleball, says the group has grown from 10 to more than 400 in a few years. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Mayor Peter Marchetti christened the city's new pickleball facility on Thursday.

The match including himself, Parks Commissioner Cliff Nilan, Tony Riello, and Kelly Maginnis of Berkshire Mountain Pickleball, was the first after a ribbon cutting that officially opened the courts.

Marchetti said these courts are a great addition to our outdoor recreation landscape and we hope we could do more in the future.

"This has been a project that dates back to about 2018 and has been made possible based on the Parks and Recreation staff, and members of the Parks Commission," he said.

"And unfortunately, I know all of you guys are here waiting to see a special match of former mayor (Linda Tyer) versus Mayor Marchetti. She canceled about a couple of hours ago due to work commitments so you're not going to be able to see that but I want to make sure that we give her a special shout-out because if it wasn't for her and members of the ARPA team who designated $520,000 from the American Rescue Plan Act fund, this project wouldn't happen."

With six courts, a parking lot, and shaded seating, the project has been long anticipated. It is located on the northeast corner of Springside Park near the Doyle Softball Complex on Benedict Road.

The pickleball proposal rose from the grave last year after its funding was scrapped in 2019, this time covered by more than $500,000 from the city's nearly $41 million American Rescue Plan Act funds.

"This is such a great day. We're celebrating this fantastic new asset in our community, a beautiful pickleball facility," said Gina Armstrong, special project manager for the funds.

"After several years of vision and advocacy and planning, the city's use of $520,000 of American Rescue Plan Act, ARPA funds, helped to make this a reality. Congratulations to all of you who had a part in this project."

She explained that the federal funds aid in social and economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic by addressing public health needs, negative economic impacts, infrastructure, and community development.

"The investment by the city's administration in this facility is an important one, as it helps to build a strong healthy community by promoting active lifestyles and connection for people of all ages so it's so exciting to be here with all of you today," she said.

"I wish I could say that I played pickleball more than once. I know that I'm missing out because many of my friends and people I meet absolutely love the game and the social aspect of it, that's so important."

Armstrong even wore sneakers in case one of the seasoned professionals wanted to give her a lesson.

Pickleball combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping pong and is suitable for singles and doubles. It has recently grown in popularity with the Sports and Fitness Industry Association estimating 4.8 million players, which is almost double the number of players five years ago.

Michael Gilardi, the founder of BMP, said it is the fastest-growing game in the country.

"It's played by men and women, girls and boys of all ages," he said, explaining that the club started with ten people a few years ago and is now up to over 400.

Park, Open Space, and Natural Resource Program Manager James McGrath noted Gilardi's persistence, adding that it was "absolutely necessary to make this project a go."

"These courts now provide our community with new outdoor recreation opportunities. These six courts will be open to the public from dawn until dusk on a first come first served basis, with the exception of some confirmed reservations. At least three of these courts will be available to the public at all times," Marchetti said.

"I'm not going to get into the rules and regulations because that's above and beyond me but they're there on the sign and they're also on the website. These courts are a great addition to our outdoor recreation landscape and we hope we could do more in the future."

This was the first time Parks Commission Chair Paula Albro saw the courts and she thought they were beautiful.

The game has been characterized as appealing to older populations but that isn't the case.  Reportedly, most players are in their 30s.

"This isn't just for us senior citizens, as a lot of people think that it's for us more mature people. It isn't. It's for all ages and, in fact, the leading percentage of people that play, players are in their 30s," Albro said.

"So this is a game for everyone and the funds that were used, I think, were allocated so well because this money will help people get out into the fresh air and exercise and meet new people and I think that's great."

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