HERMISTON, Ore.-The Good Shepherd Pickleball Complex at 1800 NW 6th Street hosted a grand opening celebration on June 14.
Over 300 people attended the celebration that included a ribbon-cutting, ceremonial first serve, pickleball classes, and free hot dogs and ice cream.
“What a showing we have here today, really outstanding, and really indicative of a supportive community,” said Art Mathisen, Good Shepherd Health Care System (GSHCS) President and CEO, before calling attention to a list of the supporters who made the complex a reality.
The Good Shepherd Pickleball Complex was a public-private partnership made possible by community donations and in-kind labor.
“Part of our mission is to meet the health needs of our community,” said Mathisen. “18 months ago when we found out about this endeavor to build a pickleball court, we said, ‘What could we do to be part of this, because this is representative of health and wellness.’”
The Good Shepherd Pickleball Complex, which will be operated by Hermiston Parks and Recreation, features 10 individually fenced courts, including the only fully ADA-accessible wheelchair courts in the Pacific Northwest, LED lighting, seating for spectators and a championship court.
“For many of you here, pickleball does change your life,” said Mathisen. “We’re talking about physical, mental and spiritual health. We, as your health care system, your hospital, are proud to be part of something that helps you with that mental, spiritual and physical health.”
Mathisen was joined by Hermiston Parks and Recreation Director Brandon Artz, Chief of Fundraising for the Hermiston Pickleball Committee Phil Hamm, and local pickleball players to cut the ribbon and officially open the Good Shepherd Pickleball Complex.
“It’s more than just a place to play – it’s a community hub that enhances quality of life, supports healthy living and brings people together in Hermiston,” said Artz.
Like so many community projects, the Good Shepherd Pickleball Complex is the result of the community coming together to address a need.
“A couple years ago we were having difficulty finding a place to play pickleball as the number of people who wanted to play continued to increase,” said Hamm.
When Hamm asked around to gauge the interest in building some pickleball courts, ten other people enthusiastically agreed, and the fundraising committee was formed.
“I really didn’t know these folks for the most part before I asked for volunteers to build the courts,” said Hamm, “but they were fantastic, they all had qualities that came together to get the project done.”
Over the next two years, Hamm and the fundraising committee worked on designing and fundraising for the complex, with initial plans consisting of eight courts for a cost of about $600,000.
“From the start we told potential contributors that we were not going to cut any corners but build only the best,” Hamm said. “So the project grew in scope and cost with the final value at about $1.2 million.”
Only about three percent of the total cost of the project came from levied tax dollars, according to Hamm, something that sets the Good Shepherd Pickleball Complex apart from other public courts.
“We raised just over $749,000 and had the remainder from in-kind contributions from many local contractors,” said Hamm. “People stepped up, many grants were written and funded, and the community provided wonderful support.”
Open play at the Good Shepherd Pickleball Complex is available daily from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. Programming and rental information for the courts is available by contacting Hermiston Parks and Recreation at 541-667-5018.
“I’ve been to hundreds of venues all over the country and there are not too many better than this,” said Karin Sobotta, a tournament pickleball player with a 5.0 rated skill set, who is also a certified referee. “This is first class, so well done everyone.”
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