A significant Albany milestone was reached last Friday when officials opened the doors to its first-ever pickleball facility.
Capital Hills Golf Course
The Capital Hills Golf Course now houses a state-of-the-art development with four courts.
Commissioner of the Department of Recreation Jonathan Jones announced the courts would be accessible to the public every day from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Games will be limited to approximately 60 minutes to ensure fair play and accommodate more players.
Interested individuals must make a reservation in advance, which can be done online by scanning the designated signage at the park.
“We have a QR code,” Jones said. “And that QR code will allow you to reserve the space for each court. If you want to do private lessons, there is a fee. You need a special use permit through our office. But at the same time, this is the opportunity for folks to come and play. If the court is open and our staff isn’t here. Then you can come and play.”
“We’ve Been Patiently Waiting For This Day”
Albany resident Ed Donnelly says he and his fellow picklers will most likely use the courts daily.
“I love the courts,” Donnelly said. “I was introduced to it about a year ago at the Jewish Community Center, we played inside. And then we couldn’t play there in the summer because they have kids’ camps and stuff, so we moved to moderate Christi. And we’re hopeful that we could play last summer here, but it just didn’t go that quickly. And then they finally put it in, but they put it in wrong. So they had to redo it this year. And we’ve been patiently waiting for this day.”
Albany who is ready for some Pickleball? City officials, and DGS cut the ribbon on the first dedicated pickleball facility in Albany, now open and located at the Capital Hills Golf Course @CBS6Albany pic.twitter.com/rebxcsJaol
— Ashley Dager CBS 6 (@ashleydagertv) June 30, 2023
WAMC Northeast Public Radio’s Dave Lucas asked Donnelly if the opening was a big day for him.
Donnelly replied: “Yes, it is. Yes, it is. And for our entire group. There’s like 24 of us.”
A Tremendous Team Effort
Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan described what a tremendous team effort it had been to get the courts up and running:
“We’re looking forward to this being utilized by all residents of the city of Albany. Capitol Hills is a premier destination for golf, and now it’s a premier destination for Pickleball”.
The Capital Hills pickleball courts will be open every day from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Reservations are required to play – go to albanyny.gov/880/facility-reservations to book your spot.
Visit albany.com/things-to-do/pickleball to find more pickleball venues in the capital of New York state.
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