Sunset Whitney Recreation Area celebrates opening of new pickleball courts

Pickleball players in Rocklin have a new place to gather and play the game they love. A ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating the opening of a new 16-court complex will take place Wednesday, Oct. 7, from 5-7 p.m. at the Sunset Whitney Recreation Area, 4201 Midas Ave. The city will provide free pickleball lessons following the ribbon cutting. The new courts offer residents additional opportunities to participate in one of the nation's fastest growing recreational sports. Pickleball combines elements of tennis, badminton and table tennis and can be played by people of all ages and skill levels. The pickleball facility includes fenced courts, ADA-accessible pathways, lighting, and supporting infrastructure. Funded through the city's Capital Improvement Program and a $400,000 grant from Placer Valley Tourism, the complex will accommodate spectators, league play and tournament events, city officials have said. The $2.9 million project is just one of many improvements planned for the Sunset Whitney Recreation Area, a 184-acre park and open space area created on the grounds of the former Sunset Whitney Country Club golf course, which closed in 2015. The city purchased the property in 2018 for $5.8 million and has since undertaken an extensive cleanup, also adding some three miles of walking trails. Residents interested in using the new courts can check with the city of Rocklin and its recreation department for information about court availability, programming and reservation requirements. For more information on the Sunset Whitney Recreational Area visit rocklin.ca.gov/swra.