People passionate about pickleball soon will have new courts to play on in Freeport.

The sport that’s sweeping the nation will be available for free at Freeport Community Park, thanks in part to the Harrison-based Allegheny-Kiski Health Foundation.

Construction of six pickleball courts is underway, with two of the spaces designated for public use without fees — courtesy of the foundation.

“Pickleball is the fastest-growing participation sport in the country,” foundation President John Pastorek said.

Participation has increased 158% over the past three years, according to sportstravelmagazine.com.

The Freeport courts will be in the area of the park’s underutilized outdoor basketball courts — the advantage of which is “that the asphalt provides a great base and will drastically reduce the cost of the project,” Pastorek said.

The cost to build a pickleball court is about $45,000, according to a GoFundMe page set up by the nonprofit Alle-Kiski Pickleball Inc.

The group was formed about 18 months ago with the mission to establish recreational facilities for pickleball enthusiasts.

Despite the growing demand for outdoor courts, there are none from Verona to Kittanning, Alle-Kiski Pickleball member Larry Lutz said.

“It’s so hard to get on a court,” he said. “There’s a great need and we wanted to help fill it.”

Typically, the group would have been looking at a $270,000 price tag for six courts.

Because of the in-kind donation from the park and the funding from the health foundation, the group needs to raise only about $75,000 to resurface the courts and complete other parts of the project, said Cindy Smith, secretary for the pickleball group.

The group’s GoFundMe campaign has raised more than $58,000 toward that goal.

“The outdoor courts that we are developing at Freeport Community Park will be the only dedicated pickleball courts within a half-hour drive of Freeport,” she said.

“Alle-Kiski Pickleball is pleased to contribute to the health and wellness of area residents, of all ages.”

Surface preparation began this month. It includes a smooth top coat that enhances the speed of the game, Smith said. Other renovations to the courts will include drainage, fencing, lines, nets and signs.

The courts are expected to open in August.

While two will be used on a first-come, first-served basis, four of the spots will be dedicated to the growing numbers of players who like to reserve court times.

Smith believes the project will draw athletes or those curious about the game for drop-in play, beginner instruction, youth camps, tournaments and social gatherings. She said it will help promote health and wellness, and will contribute to economic growth in the Valley.

Pickleball is largely affordable, Pastorek said. Equipment costs about $35, and no special clothing is required.

According to USA Pickleball, the sport combines elements of tennis, badminton and pingpong.

It can be played indoors or outdoors on a badminton-sized court (44 feet long, 20 feet wide) with a slightly modified tennis net. A paddle is used to hit a plastic ball with holes, similar to a whiffle ball, over the 36-inch high net.

The game can be played as doubles or singles by competitors of any age or skill level.

Outdoor pickleball season runs April to October. Alle-Kiski Pickleball will maintain the courts and administer the schedule.

“We are excited about sponsoring the two courts that will always be available for anyone’s use,” foundation Chairman Bob Hallman said. “I am sure that the foundation and Alle-Kiski Pickleball will be holding events there in the future to help promote the health benefits of pickleball and to teach people to play this fantastic game.”

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