Wichita, Kansas — A big “first” is coming to the Greater Wichita YMCA, and it’s happening on Saturday, November 4 with the opening of the Pickle Center. Located within the West YMCA, this new pickleball hub will give Y members and guests the entirely new experience of utilizing dedicated regulation pickleball courts for open play, classes, workshops and tournaments.
As part of the project, the West Y’s gym has been converted into four 28-foot by 60-foot indoor pickleball courts. The new pickleball flooring is a professional-grade durable pickleball surface that exceeds industry and tournament standards, ensuring Y members will have access to top-quality courts designed for optimal performance.
“The Greater Wichita YMCA is thrilled to unveil the Pickle Center at the West YMCA to help meet growing demand and further increase the value of our memberships,” said Ronn McMahon, Y president and CEO. “It is a testament to our unwavering commitment to giving our members the consistent and high-quality experiences they want and deserve.”
The public is invited to attend an Open House from 2-5:30 p.m. on November 4 to take a look inside, speak with West Y staff and participate in scheduled clinics, advanced demonstrations, open play and dinking competitions (advanced sign-up required by calling the West Y at 316-942-2271).
There is no charge to attend; non-members can take advantage of a special $0 joiner fee promotion at the front desk or online at ymcawichita.org/join.
The establishment of the Pickle Center falls within the Y’s long-term plan to invest in pickleball beyond the open play schedules currently offered at 10 locations on a combined 24 courts.
“Everything we do is created with scalability in mind so that efforts can be expanded and adapted as community needs evolve and grow,” McMahon said. “Pickleball is just one example of the vision we have for this year and coming years in the areas we serve.”
Earlier this year, the Y announced a larger comprehensive initiative to support youth development, child care and enhancements to facilities within the Wichita metro area. Through multimillion-dollar investments driven by the Y’s Healthy Connections Plan, the Y is significantly increasing its ability to serve a greater number of individuals and families, both within its branches and through programs and services.
The ultimate outcome is to empower healthy lifestyles, strong families and positive youth development FOR ALL in south-central Kansas.
To learn more about the Pickle Center as well as the Greater Wichita YMCA’s entire network of branches, programs and services, go to ymcawichita.org.
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ABOUT THE GREATER WICHITA YMCA Since 1885, The Greater Wichita YMCA has been volunteer-led and mission driven and consistently empowered healthy lifestyles, strong families, and positive youth development for all in South Central Kansas. Today, we employ more than 1,400 individuals and serve well over 300,000 of our neighbors in Butler, Harvey, Kingman, Reno and Sedgwick Counties. We support a healthy spirit, mind, and body through community development, education and wellness initiatives, youth and family programs, licensed child care and camp, and physical activity. Our more than 190,000 members and the entire community have access to over one million square feet of fitness space across our 11 area branch locations in Andover, El Dorado, Newton, Hutchinson and Wichita as well as four seasonal, outdoor water parks, two indoor/outdoor sports complexes, Camp Hyde and Camp Hiawatha. Our annual Strong Community Campaign, which funds our free and reduced-cost programs and enables scholarships, grants and income-based member and program pricing for those who qualify, allows us to honor our commitment to serve all, regardless of their ability to pay. Learn more at ymcawichita.org.