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The Bainbridge YMCA and Bainbridge-Decatur County Recreation Authority (BDCRA) have partnered to bring pickleball to Bainbridge.

Each entity has 12 courts and plans to team up in the future to bring city-wide pickleball tournaments to town, according to YMCA Director Jennifer Buckner.

“There’s an opportunity there to bring an entire community together,” Buckner said. “Our courts are fresh, [the BDCRA’s] courts are fresh… we’re very excited.”

Buckner said she and BDCRA Director Joel Holmes sat down to discuss the partnership. They spoke about how the partnership could serve the Bainbridge community and bring something new to town.

“It was an exciting conversation,” Buckner said. “Discussing the community and the needs of the community and how we can bring everything together and even being able to partner and provide for the youth, adults, definitely for all. We’re looking to service the entirety of the community and see what we can do there.” 

The Bainbridge YMCA opined their courts in late December.

“You see a lot of excitement,” Buckner said. “You see morale boost in the community. You see people come out of the woodwork, and it’s just amazing.”

Bainbridge YMCA Marketing Director Melanie Martin said the partners have “Unifying goals for the community.”

“The Rec and the Y work very well together,” Martin said. “We encourage the community and create somewhere that everyone can go. They can send their kids, they can be comfortable with it but also get activities, especially being outside with the brand new pickleball courts.”

Buckner said there isn’t a tournament in the works right now, but she is excited for what they can bring in the future. 

“There’s plenty of more conversation to come,” Buckner said.