A place to call home: Austin pickleball group continues work toward funding public courts

By Jed Nelson

As pickleball continues to become one of the fastest growing sports in America, some players’ ability to play is hindered due to the lack of resources their communities have to offer.

Austin Minnesota Area Pickleball Association (AMAPA) members Bob Rosel, Craig Jones, Dixie Gilbertson, and Greg Thorsheim met earlier this week to discuss their efforts in bringing public pickleball courts to Austin.

“The fact is, almost every city around us of equal size or smaller already has pickleball courts,” Rosel said. “They have quite a bit of participation at their courts. Austin is unfortunately one of the cities in the region that does not have readily available, dedicated pickleball courts.”

The group has proposed eight pickleball courts be built in Rotary Centennial Park in 2026