Pickleball cover construction update in Nitro, W.Va.

NITRO, W.Va. (WSAZ) - A one-of-a-kind addition to the Nitro Pickleball courts is hoping to bring in tourism from all over as the sport is growing in a hurry.

“It’s the fastest growing sport in America and it’s attracting a lot of tourism. And so we expect, once this cover is completed, to attract a lot of tournaments to West Virginia and to Nitro,” Mayor Dave Casebolt said.

The mayor said the cover is unique, explaining that it can be enclosed and heated during the winter. Meanwhile, during the warmer months, it can open up.

“When the weather is good and during the summertime we can open all the sides up on it and allow the air to come through and you don’t have to air condition it,” Casebolt said.

The Nitro Athletic Complex is nearing completion, and Mayor Casebolt said there are only a few steps left until this project is finished.

“Basically the next step in this process is to stretch this cover over and across. Then there is another cover that will go on the inside that is blue,” he said.

Casebolt said he is excited to see the project coming together for the community.

“I see kids out here, preschool kids and I see adults as old as 90 years old out here playing this game, and that’s what’s exciting to me. It gets people out, it gets people into social contact with a lot of other people. It’s just a great game.”

Mayor Casebolt says the cover is expected to be done this May. Once it’s completed, it will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, all-year round.

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