PORT ALLEN — Like much of the country, West Baton Rouge Parish is seeing a surge of interest in pickleball. To meet the growing demand from players and those looking for places to play, the parish is adding new outdoor courts dedicated specifically to the sport.
Pickleball has quickly become one of the fastest-growing sports in the U.S., attracting players of all ages.
“I’ve seen young kids all the way up to seniors playing pickleball,” said West Baton Rouge Parish President Jason Manola.
Pickleball Coach Cindy Morris said the sport was once considered an “old person’s game,” but that reputation has shifted dramatically since the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The pickleball demographic used to be mainly older people and now the fastest growing sector of pickleball is young people between the ages of 15 and 35,” Morris told UWK in July.
Discussions about building new courts began around October 2024 and were brought before the parish council during budget talks, according to Manola. The parish has partnered with Placid Refinery on the joint project, which is expected to cost around $1 million. The plan includes building 16 outdoor, dedicated pickleball courts: eight on the north side of the Intracoastal Bridge and eight on the south side.
Currently, West Baton Rouge offers indoor courts at the Port Allen Community Center. Outdoor pickleball lines are marked on tennis courts at the Port Allen Tennis Courts, Myhand Park, and Erwinville Park. Parks and Recreation also provides some equipment to players at the community center.
READ MORE: Walker to add 16-court “Pickleball Kingdom”
Manola said the current spaces are becoming overcrowded as more residents pick up paddles and hit the courts.
One of the biggest requests from local players is a facility that can host tournaments. Right now, players have to travel outside the parish to compete. “This would give us an opportunity to host tournaments here in West Baton Rouge Parish,” Manola said.
Currently, the West Baton Rouge website lists the following times for pickleball court openings:
- Tuesday mornings from 9 AM to 12 PM
Skill Rating: Seasoned Players - Wednesday mornings from 9 AM to 12 PM
Skill Rating: Beginners & Moderate Level Players - Wednesday evenings from 5 PM to 9 PM
Skill Rating: Seasoned Players - Thursday mornings 9 AM to 12 PM
Skill Rating: Beginners & Moderate Level Players
Manola is excited about the new courts and the opportunities it will offer the residents of West Baton Rouge.
“This will be another excellent opportunity to add to our recreation department and provide recreation for all citizens, from children all the way up to senior citizens,” Manola said.
The project is currently in the bidding phase, with bids officially opening Aug. 21 at 2 p.m. The courts are expected to be ready for play in the first or second quarter of 2026.
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