The town’s Community Services Advisory Commission has assigned three of its members to work with the Fountain Hills Pickleball Club to study and research financial options to expand facilities for the game in the community.

CSAC Chairman Sherm Abrahamson assigned Commissioner Ron Ruppert to lead a group that includes Don Doty and newly appointed Commissioner Sharron Grzybowski.

Claire Keyworth, Pickleball Club president and founder, and John Kapinos, treasurer for the group, made a presentation to the commission on Oct. 23.

Keyworth said the club started with three members in 2006, with no specific place to play. She said with hard work and the cooperation of the town and the Fountain Hills Unified School District, there are currently seven courts in town where more than 300 members participate in play. They would like to add two more courts. The existing courts include two on the high school campus just off Golden Eagle Boulevard. The other four courts are also on high school property, across campus and to the rear of the gymnasium.

“We are here to update you on our organization, strengthen partnerships and solicit your support for expansion,” Keyworth said.

The current facilities were built under intergovernmental agreements with the town and school district.

The school district is supportive with providing land at the site of the courts behind the gym, according to Keyworth. They are inquiring whether the town can provide financial help.

CSAC Vice Chairman Jim Judge said funding may be difficult for the town to help with.

“How much do you need?” he asked.

They had no specific answer to that question.

“We are looking for creative ideas as to where to go to find funding options,” Keyworth said.

Doty asked whether they had pursued any grant possibilities, and they answered they had not.

Abrahamson asked Ruppert to follow through with the group and come back to the commission with a direction.

Pickleball was invented in the State of Washington as a combination of tennis, ping pong and badminton and has over the years become one of the country’s fastest growing sports particularly among those of retirement age.

Keyworth said the Fountain Hills club has members ranging in age from six years up to the 80s. The US Pickleball Association is headquartered in Surpirse, Arizona.