An unexpected transformation has occurred in rural Mount Joy, Pennsylvania, just off Pinkerton Road. A manure tank, idle for over a decade, has been repurposed into a pickleball court by Arlin Benner, owner of Yippee! Farms.
A Testament To Upcycling
The slurry tank had sat unused for over 10 years on his father’s farm. This innovative project, born from Benner’s love for the sport, now stands as a testament to upcycling.
He told Lancaster Farming, “At first, I thought about turning it into a swimming pool.” As a keen pickleball player, Benner suddenly had a better idea and decided on a pickleball court, a sport he took up only two years ago.
Partnering with Lamar Hoover of nearby Elizabethtown, they not only embraced the game but also won some tournaments. “It (the prize money) helped pay for the court,” explained Hoover.
Guest From The Parents’ B&B
They called in the expertise of The Brenneman Co. of Millersville to construct this unique venue, which even features LED lights for night play.
The tank, which once held up to 360,000 gallons of slurry, required a thorough cleanout during the revamp. This revealed residual manure dating back a decade, but Benner’s three children eagerly took on the task.
Laughter and excitement filled the air as the task probably predictably turned into a spirited, slurry-slinging battle. “I think they had more fun doing that than playing pickleball,” said Benner.
Unique Advantages
Benner’s father, Galen, was also a farmer but turned the property into the Rocky Ace B&B, which he now runs with his wife. Their guests often use the converted tank to play pickleball in.
Playing pickleball within the converted tank offers unique advantages. The confined space eliminates the need for chasing stray balls, while the acoustics enhance the overall experience. Spectators can comfortably gather on one side, engaging in social activities like corn hole.
Yippee Farms
Benner’s wife, Deborah, an actress in her earlier years, played a pivotal role in naming Yippee! Farms. Her exuberant shouts of ‘yippee’ during moments of joy or the birth of a heifer calf ultimately led to the farm’s unusual name.
Yippee! Farms cover around 650 acres in Mount Joy which the Benners run approximately 500 Holsteins on.
The Slurry Slam!
Though a few barns in the area offer pickleball courts (some with associated fees), Benner, his friends, and his family cherish the manure tank’s space and unique appeal. So much so that they have decided to hold the inaugural Slurry Slam Tournament, an invitation-only event scheduled for October.
For Benner, this endeavor is fundamentally about uniting loved ones. He finds fulfillment in the fact this venture allows his family to connect with something his parents established long ago.
For further details on Yippee! Farms, please visit yippeefarm.com.
