The Shadow
The Alleghany Highlands Chamber of Commerce & Tourism sponsored a ribbon cutting celebration at Linden Park on Wed., June 22, for the Town of Clifton Forge’s addition of two pickleball courts.
Executive Director of the Chamber Teresa Hammond extended a welcome to those present, and she introduced Wendy Hudler, the Chamber’s vice-president, who made welcoming remarks.
Hudler noted that outdoor recreation is a strong point of the Alleghany Highlands and that by adding pickleball courts at Linden Park, more opportunity for outdoor recreation is now available.
David Crosier, vice-mayor of the City of Covington, congratulated Clifton Forge Mayor Jeff Irvine for increasing recreational opportunities at Linden Park.
Matt Garten, chairman of the Alleghany County Board of Supervisor, congratulated the Town of Clifton Forge for adding the pickleball courts as well.
Terri McClung represented the Alleghany Highlands Economic Development Corporation. She also congratulated the Town of Clifton Forge for expanding its recreational facilities.
Mayor Irvine made closing remarks about the importance of increasing outdoor recreational opportunities before he cut the ceremonial ribbon provided by the Chamber.
In a prepared written statement, the Town of Clifton Forge revealed, “About six months ago, the Town of Clifton Forge began receiving requests to add Pickleball courts at one of the Town parks.”
Also, the written statement read, “Clifton Forge decided to repurpose one of the tennis courts at Linden Park.”
“This is a perfect location for our community, residents, and visitors to enjoy and another way to showcase our parks and promote our outdoor recreational assets,” the statement continued.
Pickleball was founded in Washington State in 1965 by Joel Prichard and Bill Bell. Ironically, the new sport was named for a dog named Pickle.
The sport is played on a badminton-sized court: 20’ X 44,’ and the ball is served diagonally, starting from the right-hand service square. Points can only be scored by the side that serves.
The rules state that the ball must bounce once before volleys are permitted, and on each side of the net, there is a seven-foot no-volley zone to prevent spiking the round ball that is made of plastic with perforated holes to create less drag and cleaner flight.
Pickleball can be played with singles or doubles, and the first side that scores 11 points while leading by two wins the match.
Covington Mayor Tom Sibold, Clifton Forge Town Manager Chuck Unroe and Clifton Forge Town Councilwoman Debbie Laudermilk attended the ceremony but were not called on to make public comments.
According to records compiled by the Sports Fitness Industry Association (SFIA), pickleball is by far the fastest growing sport in the U.S., having increased by 21.3% from 2019-2020 through 2021, with more than four million participants currently.
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| Mayor of Clifton Forge Jeff Irvine cut the ceremonial ribbon to celebrate adding two pickleball courts at Linden Park. (L-R, front row: Teresa Hammond, Wendy Hudler, Debbie Laudermilk, Jeff Irvine, Chuck Unroe, Dale Burdette, and Pam Warren. (L-R, back row: Tom Sibold, Terri McClung, David Crosier, and Matt Garten.) |
