Loma Linda University Drayson Center and the Loma Linda Pickleball Club will join forces to unveil 26 newly resurfaced pickleball courts on Sunday, Oct. 1 — making Drayson the largest pickleball venue in the Inland Empire. Courts 1 and 3 through 6 have both tennis and pickleball lines, while Court 2 has been reconfigured to four pickleball courts, complete with permanent nets.
Grand opening festivities begin at 9 a.m. Vendors of pickleball equipment, as well as other products and services, will be onsite during the day, which concludes at 2 p.m.
Four pickeball pros will be on hand to compete in exhibition matches. Clinics and open pickleball play will also take place. Refreshments, prizes, and giveaways will be available. Attendance is free. Those attending are encouraged to bring their own paddles; however, a number of loaner paddles will also be available.
Pickleball is becoming a national obsession. Courts are identical to badminton, with a special net, paddles and whiffle-style ball.
The Loma Linda Pickleball Club, founded in July 2016 by Ernie Medina Jr., DrPH, assistant professor in LLU School of Public Health, with just eight participants, has now grown to 200-plus members of all ages and abilities.
For more information, visit drayson.llu.edu and select the “Pickleball” tab.