Club members have priority access to four of the eight courts at Sam Johnson Park in downtown Redmond.

Pickleball, America’s fastest growing sport, has already made its mark in Redmond.

Now, with the creation last month of the 150-member strong Redmond Rock Chuck Pickleball Club, it hopes to continue growing.

Matthew Gilman, member of the advisory club, says a major draw of the sport and the local club is that people of all ages and abilities can come play. Some members are high school students while others are as old as 80.

Gilman said competition isn’t the main driver of the club, but instead fostering a connection with neighbors and a regular exercise regimen .

“We want to make this as inclusive and as fun and social as we can make it, because that’s sort of the reason that we’re all playing pickleball,” said Gilman.

Four courts at Sam Johnson Park are reserved for members from 8-10 a.m. and 5-8 p.m., Monday through Friday.

To join the club, members must pay a $25 annual fee. That fee includes entries to an entire spring and summer of round-robin games, priority for court space and free or low-cost trainings and events. Members are asked to provide their own paddles, however the club does have loaner paddles for beginners, as well as balls, portable nets and squeegees.

Club member Diane Baumgartner has been playing pickleball in Redmond for 15 years. She said an unofficial group coalesced around the fledgling sport and wanted to assemble more organized games. She has found a community on the pickleball courts and wants to see more Redmond residents join up.

“It’s the fastest growing sport, but it’s also the easiest,” Baumgartner said. “Within 30 minutes, I can get you on the court playing — that’s just how easy it is. It’s an addicting game and it’s very social. I think that’s one of the things people like about it, too. Talking to the person across from you just chatting away and playing. We don’t take ourselves serious until the tournaments, and then they get serious.”

The club isn’t limited to only Redmond residents.

Club member Gretchen Peck finds herself on the courts three to four times a week and has already interacted with a few newcomers from Bend and elsewhere in Central Oregon.

“Most people will play with anybody, especially if they’re new,” said Peck. “It’s a very welcoming court. People will come from Bend who didn’t feel welcomed and just play here and be very appreciative of how welcoming everyone is.”

In anticipation of future growth in pickleball players, the Redmond Area Park and Recreation District plans to remove one of two tennis courts at Valley View Park and rework it into four pickleball courts. A contract for the remodel is likely to awarded at the Aug. 8 city council meeting and construction is expected to begin after Labor Day.

Those interested can join through the Redmond Area Park and Recreation District website.