Pickleball Plus Officially Launches With Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

As the sport of pickleball continues to rise in popularity across the nation, local politicians and members of the community came out to celebrate the official Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at Pickleball Plus in West Hempstead.

“It was great,” said Pickleball Plus Marketing Manager Jacki Binder of the event. “We’re so thrilled that so many people came out to help us officially launch the club.”

Pickleball Plus features six dedicated pickleball courts, and has seen its courts filled with players since its opening.

“We have all different types of players here, tall and short, of all athletic abilities and from all economic backgrounds, and they all get along. There’s no fighting on the courts, it’s all fun,” said Club Manager Dory Levinter. “I would say that everyone should give it a shot. It is the fastest growing sport, they’re learning it in gym classes in schools now, and I do see some schools starting to put together teams. Everybody should get in on the trend here, this is the next thing. Pickleball is the way to go.”

While some tennis purists scoff at pickleball, Pickleball Plus Owner Harry Kent says there is no reason the sports can’t co-exist, and in fact, they are both mutually-beneficial to each other.

“I was an avid tennis player, and I still love tennis,” said Kent. “But for kids, we’re starting a junior program here, and pickleball is a great game to start. Within an hour you learn and it’s much easier to do so, and is much less frustrating for them. It can also be a stepping stone for them to move up into tennis.”

Pickleball Plus is located at 525 Eagle Avenue in West Hempstead. You can learn more by visiting PickleballPlusLLC.com.

PICTURED ABOVE: (from left): Lisa Lauricella, Sharon Bieber Ryan, John Marks, Jacki Binder (Pickleball Plus Marketing Manager), Ken Marks, Town of Hempstead Clerk Kate Murray, Frank Millilo, Dr. Harry Kent (Pickleball Plus owner), Meryl Kessler, Dorothy Goosby (Senior Town of Hempstead Councilwoman), Hempstead Town Councilman Thomas Muscarella, Matthew Dwyer (director of the Nassau County Office for the Physically Challenged), Marshall Myers, president, West Hempstead Chamber of Commerce, and Dory Levinter (Pickleball Plus Manager)