FARMINGTON, NM – Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in the nation, according to the Sports and Fitness Industry Association. Sports are booming in the Four Corners.
Pickleball is a mixture of table tennis, tennis and badminton. It has existed for 57 years.
“Our group is growing, we currently have a club of 71 members,” said Lona Warren, one of two local Pickleball ambassadors. “But overall there are over 100 players here in Farmington. With us, the youngest player is 15 and the oldest player is 92.”
One of those players is Randy Mason. He said the game isn’t about who wins or loses – it’s about the friendships formed on the pitch.
“It’s probably a combination of the camaraderie with friends and people I’ve met and playing the game, you get to play with people who like something you like and that’s what I like about it,” Mason said.
But until recently there were no pitches dedicated to the growing sport in Farmington.
“We went to the city council meeting asking for permanent pickleball spots. We are very fortunate that we had a mayor who encouraged the city council and they voted unanimously to get us 6 permanent pickleball spots.”
With these new courts expected to open any day, local pickleball players are hoping to make Farmington a destination for the game.
“I would like to see this as a hub for people traveling through our area because we are so rich in culture and activities,” said Robert David, a pickleball player and former ambassador.
Warren added that Pickleball is played in 53 countries. Once played in 75 countries, it will become an Olympic sport.
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