After months of anticipation and wondering if it would ever come to be, the pickleball courts finally opened, now sporting a new location. On April 11, the long awaited amenity opened back up at its new location after it was moved to help preserve trees and prevent disruptions.

The new courts have now been open for a little over two weeks. Photographer Peyton Eck and I went out early Tuesday morning to play pickleball to test the quality of the court and see how well it replaces the old, beloved courts. 

The court quality and material was pretty much the same. Enough give to be comfortable while not too soft. They were set up correctly, no lines were misplaced or crooked and the rule sheet next to each section was extremely helpful. 

But there are only three courts instead of the original four that the old site had. The pickleball courts are nearly always in use, especially with the nice weather approaching. The students will be craving to play after their pickleball hiatus. It was already difficult in early September to snag a spot with the four court system and I can only imagine how much worse it will be with one fewer. 

There are pickleball courts inside the Heskett Center that help delay the stampede of students, but even this only lasts until 8 p.m. Then it will be student versus student to see who can get there first. 

We purposely woke up early to guarantee we could actually play. However, getting up at eight in the morning to play multiple rounds of pickleball is not ideal.

To make matters worse, the courts are so squished together compared to its predecessor. Multiple times, if another duo had played alongside us, our ball would have infiltrated their game, causing disruption. 

  There are also now gaps between the fence separating the courts and the fence surrounding all of the courts which does allow easier travel between courts, but only amplifies the issue of rogue balls

I miss the original set up of the courts from the old location: Four courts having big enough gaps between them that other games rarely interrupted you. They were secluded in their own fence area with a gate, preventing rebelling balls from entering other courts. 

I understand these choices were made most likely in the interest of saving space and time, but it’s disappointing to wait months for new courts, only to end up with less than we had.

The three courts, regardless of the problems I predict will arise, are not the new site’s biggest issue — it’s the location. 

The pickleball courts’ old location was next to the Hesket Center and Eck Stadium, slightly concealed in the shadows of the buildings, allowing for privacy from most passerbys. 

These new courts are placed in between Hesket and Hubbard Hall, in a wide open field, very much in view of anyone who walks past. In all honesty, the new location is a fraction of the reason I haven’t played on them despite the fact I enjoy pickleball a lot.
As someone who’s not very good, it’s difficult to want to play at the new site due to its placement. It has the feel of being a zoo animal on display for people to watch and mock. Barely anyone wants to be the subject of mockery especially when you’re just trying to have fun with your friends. Although most students probably don’t pay attention when walking by, the thought was always lingering in the back of my mind. 

It’s also too echoey on the new courts, combined with the near constant hum of the Hesket mixed with the winds of Kansas, it’s almost impossible to hear your partner from across the court without yelling. But it still feels as if everyone walking by can hear your conversation before you do. 

The winds are awful in the new location. There’s absolutely nothing around the courts to protect players — and the flying balls — from the harshness of the wind, easily making it unplayable at times when Mother Nature loses her temper. 

Overall, despite its flaws, it’s not the worst option to have a fun game of pickleball with friends or for tournaments. I am, at the very least, excited and impressed they were finished so quickly with all of the mishaps that arose during the process. 

I would change many things, but I still wouldn’t encourage anyone who loves pickleball to stop playing on the new courts. Beggars can’t be choosers.