(Photo by Rick Loy) People try out the new pickleball courts at the Wetzel County 4-H Campgrounds in advance of the grand opening celebration set for April 15. The new facility cost about $150,000.

Wetzel County officials are gearing up for the grand opening of new indoor pickleball courts at the Wetzel County 4-H Grounds in New Martinsville.

They are inviting the public to a ribbon cutting ceremony and celebration starting at noon April 15. To attend, people are asked to RSVP by April 10 at 304-266-1607 or email lwykert@wetzelwv.com. There will be refreshments and a pickleball demonstration.

Bengy Swanson, project coordinator for the Wetzel County Commission, said the new building replaced an old shelter that was beyond repair.

“The original Gamble Shelter was deteriorating to the point that safety was becoming a concern, therefore the Wetzel County Commission decided to raise the existing shelter and replace it with the new one,” he said.

“The vision was to create an even better facility that could be used year round instead of just in the summer months. The old shelter had no walls and was an open air pavilion.

“Now such things as pickleball, basketball, or other group events can be done through the winter months and in the summer months all the doors can be opened up and the facilities can be used for open air events and festival and fair activities.”

Swanson said the project cost about $150,000. JDR of Wadestown, W.Va., installed the building shell and A&L Concrete of Pine Grove poured the concrete floor. And Jack Cartwright painted the lines for the pickleball courts.

“All interior work and some exterior work was performed by the Wetzel County Commission maintenance department,” he added.

Lori Wykert, events and planning coordinator for the Wetzel County Commission, is looking forward to people enjoying the new facility.

“The commission is excited to bring this opportunity to Wetzel County as pickleball is an incredible way to get low impact exercise and improve health,” she said. “Pickleball also has a following that spans many age groups; we look forward to watching all residents learn, enjoy, and benefit health wise from this popular recreational team sport.”

Pickleball is played on a court that looks similar to tennis, but is smaller in size. Instead of using tennis racquets and tennis balls, pickleball players use solid paddles and plastic balls. Similar to tennis, games can be played with single players or teams of two.

The campground is located at 38 4-H Camp Road, New Martinsville. There is a cost to rent the new courts.