10-05-2025
Burlington debuts new pickleball complex
BURLINGTON, N.C. (WGHP) — FOX8 got a sneak peek at the new Burlington pickleball complex before its grand opening on Friday afternoon at City Park on Overbrook Road.
It's a culmination of years of work. $4.6 million was approved by the city in 2022 to construct the state-of-the-art ball fields, which will host local residents and draw tournament play.
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'Some people call it a fad. I don't call it a fad. It's here to stay. A lot of people are playing it,' said Tony Laws, director of recreation and parks.
Pickleball is suitable for people of all ages, and Burlington is embracing its popularity.
'The fastest growing age group in pickleball is 18-35,' Laws said.
Laws has 56 years of experience and says the new courts are meeting a huge demand in Burlington.
'We added a lot of courts so people wouldn't be sitting in line, getting frustrated,' Laws said.
The complex has 17 courts and a covered championship field, which is wheelchair accessible.
'We plan to bring some tournaments here on the weekends, and the number of courts we got helps us get those tournaments,' he said.
They added chairs and tables, making the space even more hospitable, which Burlington Pickelball General Manager Rachel Vinson said will be part of the draw.
'We're looking forward to hosting our own tournaments that we'll do with the city but as well as bringing some tournaments from the region that will bring in those economic impact dollars,' Vinson said.
The facility will offer open play, memberships, camps and clinics.
'We are going to have clinics for ages seven and up to really introduce the younger kids who are really starting to learn about it in recess and in school,' Vinson said.
The city invested in LED lighting so the courts can stay open after dark, and the location is easy to get to for everyone in Burlington.
'The big thing is it's exactly in the center of town,' Laws said.
For pickleballers who want to plan ahead, there is a way to do it. An app will allow them to see what courts are available.
The Burlington pickleball complex opens to the public on Friday at 4 p.m. after a ribbon cutting, and they'll have information on clinics and memberships, plus snow cones to celebrate the big day.
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