Over the last few years, more people have been enjoying pickleball, a court game that mixes aspects of tennis, ping-pong, and badminton. While new to some, the game has been around since the 1960s and was invented right here in the United States by a congressman.  

Teravalis will feature dedicated pickleball courts from the very first phase of amenities where new and seasoned pickleball fans can enjoy a game with the greater community. Here is some fascinating history behind this American sport as well as ways you can play at Teravalis. 

The History of Pickleball

Pickleball was invented by US State Congressman Joel Pritchard at his home in Bainbridge Island, Washington. The game was developed somewhat out of necessity. Pritchard and his friend, businessman Bill Bell, noticed one summer afternoon that their families were sitting around with nothing to do. Unfortunately, Pritchard’s home had little in the way of recreation. The only thing on his property was an old badminton court, but he had no equipment to play a game.  

However, he did have some leftover ping-pong equipment, so Pritchard and Bell decided to lower the badminton net and used the ping-pong racquets and ball to play an altered game of badminton.  

Over time, the game caught on, and Pritchard would invite other families to play. Eventually, they lowered the net even farther to 36 inches so the ball could bounce more directly toward the player.  

According to Prichard’s wife, Joan Pritchard, “The name of the game became Pickle Ball, after I said it reminded me of the Pickle Boat in crew where oarsmen were chosen from the leftovers of other boats.” The pickle boat comes from rowing, where they would assign one more boat to a race comprised of leftover rowers who were not initially chosen. 

By the mid-1970s, athletic clubs across the country started to catch on to the game and began hosting tournaments. Today, pickleball is in full swing, as it is currently the fastest-growing sport in the US, with participation nearly doubling year over year.  

Pickleball at Teravalis

Teravalis is focused on providing wide open spaces and fantastic amenities that support a wide range of family activities and recreational sports. One of the most attractive things about the game of pickleball is that it can be played by people of nearly any age. It’s a low-impact sport, making it easy on the joints. The game also has simple and easy-to-follow rules that kids can understand. Overall, pickleball is the perfect sport for whole families to enjoy, aligning with our vision of designing a community where the needs of all our residents, young and old, are equally met.  

Teravalis will feature 8 dedicated pickleball courts and 4 tennis courts that could also be purposed for pickleball tournament play at the initial amenity center of our community, Flourish at Floreo. Our first village of Floreo will be over 3,029 acres, with 20% of the land reserved for parks and spaces where residents can run, play, and enjoy a thrilling game of pickleball with friends and loved ones.  

Our upcoming amenity center, Flourish will also feature plenty of outdoor games and a lap pool, which will be perfect for active residents or families looking to connect through their favorite activities.  

About Teravalis™

Teravalis is primed to be a 37,000-acre premier master planned community located in the West Valley of the Phoenix metropolitan area, in Buckeye, AZ. Translating to “land of the valley,” Teravalis is positioned between the White Tank and Belmont Mountain ranges and is committed to embracing the natural High Sonoran Desert beauty. Utilizing innovative technology and sustainable planning, the community will feature unparalleled amenities and wide-open spaces to explore and discover. Teravalis is a community of Howard Hughes, known for its mission to curate vibrant communities that elevate the everyday, creating meaningful moments in great places where people can live their best lives – and thrive for generations to come.