The people have spoken. If the residents of Manheim Township want pickleball, then it is pickleball that they shall have.

Manheim Township is nearing the completion of its first dedicated pickleball facility. Not only will the project formally introduce one of the country's fastest-growing sports to the locale, it will represent Manheim Township's continuing mission to provide its residents with the best in services and amenities.

"From public input, the (Manheim Township) commissioners prioritized it," said Andy Bowman, Manheim Township's assistant manager for the past three years. "(Pickleball) is very popular and so it became, 'Why don't we have it here?' It's pretty much going to be a premier facility for pickleball. It's been designed well, and it's being constructed well. We want to get it right."

Construction on Manheim Township's $655,000 pickleball project began in early May. The project is on schedule, and the pickleball courts are expected to be ready for play in late September. Finishing touches to the project will be applied in 2025.

When completed, the 10-acre facility at 2240 Basset Drive, Lancaster, located on the northwest corner of the Overlook Community Park campus, will feature eight pickleball courts, six 40-foot-high light standards, parking and access to drinking water.

"Recreation and physical activity have become real cultural things," said Bowman. "Exercise and mental health have been part of our cultural conversation. I'm adamant about getting outside and being active. I think it should be part of everyone's healthy lifestyle."

In Manheim Township, there are currently a handful of dual-purpose tennis courts lined for pickleball and a few private pickleball courts. Manheim Township even hosts indoor pickleball at Overlook, but the new outdoor pickleball facility will be the first of its kind in the locale.

"Pickleball has exploded nationally and exploded regionally over the last couple of years," said Bowman. "It's basically a large version of pingpong. It's played on a smaller court and doesn't require the physical demands of tennis and racquetball. It's strategic. It spans generations. You can meet people of all ages playing pickleball."

Some of the costs related to the pickleball project were paid for by a $250,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and National Resources, an amount that was matched by Manheim Township.

"We wanted to have it integrated into our park system," said Bowman. "They will be heavily used, just because of the way they're being built and the size of the facility. Sort of like, 'If you build it, they will come.' Some avid pickleball players don't think eight courts is enough. With these eight courts, we want to find out if eight courts is enough. We're trying to understand."

Manheim Township is home to 45,000 residents and hundreds of acres of park land located in 13 distinct facilities.

"I love it here. I'm raising a family here," said Bowman. "(Family members) have used these facilities; they've used these parks. I love championing our township and the offerings we have here. We're making a difference for as many township residents as possible. We're trying to be stewards of the community. Obviously, recreation is important."

For additional information on the Manheim Township Recreation and Park Planning Department, go to http://www.manheimtownship.org/1617/Recreation-Park-Planning.