POCATELLO — The sport of pickleball has burst onto the scene since 2015 and has become so popular that local players need more places to play.

The city of Pocatello heard local residents and added several news courts, named the Con Gilmore Pickleball Courts in Lower Ross Park. The grand opening is set for 10 a.m. on Aug. 20, according to a recent news release from Pocatello.

There Con Gilmore Pickleball Courts will include five courts that are in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and will feature a plexi-cushion acrylic surface as well as LED lighting.

The courts will be open from sunup until one hour after dusk and the LED lights will shut off at 10 p.m. The city is excited about the possibility of people playing on the courts and is naming them after a special member of the city of Pocatello, Con Gilmore, who worked for the city for 37 years from 1967 to 2004.

Gilmore was heavily involved in the construction of significant projects for the city, including the Ross Park Aquatics Complex and OK Ward Park. According to the news release, he was also heavily involved with the growth of the parks in Pocatello.

With the sport in such high demand, Anne Butler, Pocatello Parks and Recreation director, and the city were excited to give local residents somewhere to play, grow the sport and honor someone in the process.

“These courts are long overdue and we are pleased to be able to offer them to the public,” she said. “We have pickleball players of all ages and abilities ready to give these courts a try. I’m pleased we are able to honor Con Gilmore in a small way for his hard work and contributions to Pocatello.”

Pickleball’s popularity has continued to soar to unprecedented highs, and cities and places around the country are trying to keep up with its growth.

According to Sports & Fitness Industry Association reports, the sport of pickleball has grown by 51.8 percent from 2022 to 2023 and has grown by an incredible 223.5 percent in four years since 2020. As of now, it is the fastest-growing sport in America.

According to the article by fourstateshomepage.com, an incredible 36.5 million individuals have played pickleball at least once within the last year. While people of all ages get involved in the sport, 36.5 million represent 14 percent of the adult population in America.

The Con Gilmore courts will help the people of Pocatello and the surrounding areas be able to play the sport and also keep the game’s growth going.