New pickleball courts coming to parks in Charlotte County

As pickleball grows in popularity, so are the number of places people can play in Charlotte County.

New courts are expected to appear at Ann & Chuck Dever Regional Park, Port Charlotte Beach Park and Rotonda Community Park and Preserve in the county.

“I think it’s a great activity,” neighbor Ron Vincent said. “It’s a great sport. I have played it, and I’d love to see more of it being played.”

Many tennis courts at parks in the county are being converted to pickleball courts because of the popularity and demand.

“I’m not retired myself yet, but I have a lot of friends who are,” Sonny Thamer said. “And they enjoy playing pickleball, and I think the court here is going to be beneficial for them.”

Pickleball is taking on interest from younger people too.

“You wouldn’t expect it to be hard for an 18-year-old to come out here and play with people way older than you, but it’s just as hard or even harder,” Jason Yachymczyk said.

The game is louder than tennis, and there have been noise complaints reported in Charlotte County where courts are already in use.

“It’s noisy though,” Lynn Ziething said. “It’s very noisy, but I don’t know; I just like indoors better. It’s easier on my bones.”

A noise dispute in Punta Gorda has caused its city council to consider costly options to address the issue, including special fencing to help quiet the courts. The county also said if new noise complaints develop from newly proposed courts, it will also address options to quiet courts.

MORE: Punta Gorda community frustrated over crowded, noisy pickleball courts