Pickleball Magazine 1-4 | Page 50

FACILITY OF THE MONTH FRUITLESS TO FRUITFUL The Towns County Pickleball Complex Opens in Georgia BY JOHN HALL T he city of Hiawassee, Georgia, in Towns County is tucked away in the Blue Ridge Mountains. It is home to the Georgia Mountain Fair, the Georgia Mountain Big Green Egg festival, music concerts and a stream of car, bicycle and motorcycle events geared toward young active retirees. It’s also home to a very vibrant community known as Georgia Mountain Pickleball. Two and a half years ago the county was completing a new recreation center and agreed to put permanent lines for four indoor pickleball courts on the basketball courts. This started 48 the wave of pickleball in the county and, as word spread, more and more people were drawn into the sport. The community was soon bursting at the seams and, due to the growing numbers and to many disruptions of the three‑day‑per-week schedule at the recreation center from basketball camps, games, etc., players began to look for possible additional venues. County Commissioner Bill Kendall is very sports-minded and was impressed with the commitment, drive, enthusiasm and growing numbers. He agreed to help renovate an TO SUBSCRIBE CALL 724.942.0940 OR GO TO THEPICKLEBALLMAG.COM