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LUVERNE — Greg Antoine has a theory about why pickleball has remained one of the hottest sports over the last few years.
Antoine, president of the Luverne Area Pickleball Association (LAPA) says it has to do with one perhaps unforeseen aspect — getting to know your neighbor.
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“It’s a game for all ages. There’s a social aspect to it that I think is the attraction and it’s a great way to stay active,” Antoine shared.
Back in the summer of 2017, Antoine, who used to coach boys and girls tennis for Luverne Public Schools, went to the Black Hills area with his wife, Barb, where they saw couples playing a “weird” game on a court.
“We were out there for two weeks and played it. But when we came back (to Luverne), there was nowhere to play it. We really liked it and thought ‘We have to do something about it,’” Antoine said.
In 2023, LAPA, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, was created, with the Luverne High School tennis court used at the beginning, cut down to the standard pickleball court dimensions, at 20 feet wide and 44 feet long.
Antoine said during that first summer, up to 10 people would join to play a game or two, but as the association grew, he knew it would need somewhere else to play.
“We knew one court wasn’t going to cut it, so we asked to make two pickleball-sized courts on the west end of the (LHS) tennis court,” said Antoine. “We painted those two. The school bought two (pickleball) nets and LAPA bought another.”
During the summer, pickleball is played outside but LAPA also came up with a plan for those who may want to play during the winter months. The group uses the gym at St. Catherine’s Catholic School in Luverne in the winter. Also, games can be played from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. From September to May, LAPA also has permission to use the new Minnesota National Guard Armory from 8 to 11 a.m. on weekdays.
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“It’s really fun and anyone can play. It’s a cross between tennis, badminton and ping pong,” Antoine said.
Since its creation, the word about LAPA has spread to other communities. Currently, the group boasts just over 50 members, including players from Iowa, Hills, Edgerton and the Pipestone area. Antoine said he and his wife were contacted by the city of Hardwick to help them measure out their own pickleball court in town, which they gladly did.
“The mission of LAPA is to promote pickleball in Luverne. That’s as simple (of a mission statement) as we could get,” Antoine said.
In the future, Antoine said LAPA hopes to have a permanent year-round location to play, especially as more people seem to show interest. As a former coach, he and Barb even give pickleball lessons as part of Luverne’s Community Education program.
“You don’t have to be a member. Just show up or bring your family. It’s an easy game,” Antoine said.
LAPA lists games on the Play Time scheduling app. Currently, games are played on the outdoor pickleball courts near LHS from 8 to 11 a.m. on weekdays and at St. Catherine’s Catholic School gym from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays.
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