Sandhills Farm Life Elementary School has upgraded its outdated tennis courts.
Staff, the PTA and families have been working for around two years on the project to make their 45-year-old tennis courts useful for students and the community. The former courts were cracked and not usable for tennis or any activities.
“Our school is limited on outdoor space, and the courts were not being used because of their hazardous conditions with cracks,” said Sandhills Farm Life PE/health teacher Kendall Smith.
With the upgrade to the courts, it was decided to turn them into a creative play space and an area for one of the fastest growing sports, pickleball.
“Our goal is to grow the pickleball game in the community,” said Smith.
It was a joint effort to make the courts useful. Fundraisers took place, and different communities donated old paddles and balls to help Smith begin teaching the sport indoors during her gym classes last year. TNT Asphalt, based in Southern Pines, repaired the courts.
“This would not have been possible without all the support from Sandhills Farm Life employees and families,” said Smith. “This is a sport that all age groups and athletic abilities can enjoy together.”
The school also received two grants to help with the project. The Bright Ideas Grant awarded $1,500. The funds will go toward equipment for the creative play space area.
The second grant won was from the USA Pickleball called the Grow the Game Grant. The grant will supply the outdoor nets, 50 paddles, and 100 balls. Sandhills Farm Life was one of 51 that received that grant.
The creative play space has three pickleball courts, an area for basketball, Tic Tac Toe, hopscotch, and four square.
After teaching the game to her class last year for three weeks, the students couldn’t get enough of it.
“I remember after teaching pickleball indoors, one of my students thanked me for teaching it because it allowed them to play with their grandparents from Florida,” said Smith. “This is exactly what we want to help create and promote.”
While talking with Sandhills Sentinel, four students and fans of the game were playing on the new courts. Kinsley Phillips, Clemmons Sheffield, Sage Bahme, and Gavin Smith enjoyed playing with their new equipment.
A few finishing touches remain on the area, and they expect it to be done soon.
Feature photo: Sandhills Farm Life PE/health teacher Kendall Smith, left, and students Gavin Smith, Kinsley Phillips, Sage Bahme, and Clemmons Sheffield.
~Article and photographs by Sandhills Sentinel reporter Curtis Self. Curtis has been writing for Sandhills Sentinel since 2019.
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