Now that winter weather is behind us (we hope), St. Joseph’s pickleball community is shaking the snow off their paddles and heading back outside after a four-month hiatus. Pickleball has grown tremendously in St. Joseph, both as a competitive sport and a casual outing with friends. And on a beautiful spring night, finding an available court can be more difficult than beating an older retired couple…which is seriously saying something. Luckily, the City of St. Joseph knows how much we cherish the sport, and they came through.
As it stands, most of the pickleball scene in town takes place at the Bode courts, next to the Bode Ice Rink. It’s extremely encouraging to see how many people choose to spend their time there, playing a fun sport, getting fresh air and some exercise. So much so that St. Joseph decided it needed to put in brand new courts, providing another place for people to use their overpriced paddles. The city started construction on a brand-new complex at Corby Grove, on North 22nd Street, last fall. The $800,000 project is set to be completed in the Spring of 2026, so it could be any day now.
The complex will house 6–8 shiny, fully fenced public pickleball courts, with shaded seating and outdoor lighting for day and night play. This city addition will provide locals, pickleball enthusiasts and casual players with another location to enjoy the fastest-growing sport in the U.S. Offering both street parking and parking at Corby Pond, the new complex will be well equipped to host a growing number of players, helping the city continue to expand its recreational landscape and shared love of pickleball.
So, once the courts see their official grand opening, consider enjoying the same game you love in a new setting. Crowded courts are a great problem for our city, and Corby gives us more room to keep that momentum going. Pickleball lovers, let’s fill Corby’s courts just as much as we’ve filled Bode’s for all these years. After all, sharing the joy of the game is really what it’s all about.