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| SUN LAKES LIFESTYLES | JANUARY 2024 | 55 As we begin a new year, it's timely to reflect how our club has been blessed by the Pickleball Pavilion. We have become known around the Pass Area and beyond as a gracious and welcoming club and Sun Lakes is regarded as a premier pickleball venue. Visitors notice. Realtors notice. Zillow, the renowned website for all things property-related, has begun to tally what it costs to add pickleball to a backyard. They are mentioned in a recent House Beautiful article on the growing interest among landscape designers who are receiving requests to plan court additions in private homes. Andrea Scharff is such a professional. She notes a sharp increase in inquiries following pickleball's appearance on an episode of the Golden Bachelor. Zillow agent Joy Kim Metalios details the costs she is seeing for making pickleball a feature of a regular neighborhood. Some homeowners are able to jerry-rig a temporary court on a driveway with pre-painted tiles for a few thousand dollars. Installing a court that approximates what we have in Sun Lakes runs anywhere from $20-30,000. When we consider all that's involved, the price isn't surprising. Courts have to be level. Or almost. Actually they need about a one percent slope to reduce puddling. We have hardy members who get out early after rain to squeegee since even our lovely courts have a few low spots. Our intrepid Sun Lakes maintenance staff keep the courts clean. A personal court needs an area of about 30' x 60' and a durable surface, with paint and lines plus sturdy nets and barriers so players don't have to constantly chase down errant shots. Keeping up that backyard recreation area costs as well with periodic resurfacing running $3 to 4k. All of this is to underscore what a boon our community has been for pickle. The eight courts occupy space where once two tennis courts sat. They are fenced and sound-baffled and the existing lights allow play on warm summer evenings. So, in 2024, let's take a moment to appreciate the value of Sun Lakes' investment, not just in dollars but in healthful recreation. If you haven't come out to see the Pavilion, on the north side next to the Executive Pro Shop, please do so. Give our club VP, Judy Luna, a call at (949) 929-2390 for times to give the game a try. See you on the courts! Pickleball Club

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