After considering a series of serious matters involving infrastructure and city repairs, the Paso Robles City Council welcomed a bit of levity.

The council chambers were crowded with people throughout the April 15 meeting, who this time weren’t there to assert pesky public oversight or scrutinize the spending of taxpayer money. Rather, they were there in hopes that the five-member council would give the green light to construct five permanent pickleball courts. 

That they were granted, after the council exuberantly approved the conversion of a seldom-used, outdoor roller hockey rink in Centennial Park to a place to play the fastest-growing sport in America, according to the staff report. It’s said to be a fun, social blend of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong. 

The Paso Robles Pickleball Club will raise the $18,000 needed for construction, and will also be in charge of the site’s maintenance.

-- Melody DeMeritt - former city council member, Morro Bay