Workers hoisted screens into place Monday at Blair Park, setting the stage for Lake Bluff to become one of only three Chicago suburbs to offer paddle tennis at a public facility.
According to PaddlePro.com, Winnetka and Hinsdale provide paddle tennis through park districts, whereas other area
programs take place at private clubs. Amy Halstead of the
Lake Bluff/Lake Forest Paddle Tennis Association said 100 people have
registered with the Lake Bluff program, with more
expected to join in the
coming weeks. The association is organizing three men's
and two women's teams to compete in the North Shore Paddle League. Additionally, the group plans to offer regular drill times with a pro, and social events such as Friday night mixers and member-guest days. The fun begins the second week in October, but the warming hut will not be in place until January.
An individual membership in the LB Paddle Tennis program is $400 for residents (similar to Winnetka's program), and $450 for non-residents. Click here
to get to the LB Park District's website for more info on fees, along with a how-to on the sport.)
Need inspiration to get into the game? Link here to view a YouTube video by Matt Warner, director of platform tennis at Lake Shore Country Club in Glencoe.
