When: Friday, March 6th - Sunday, March 8th, 2020
Where: Opelika Sportsplex
1001 Andrews Rd
Opelika, AL 36801
Opelika’s first invitational pickleball club will be held this weekend. The Opelika Parks and Recreation Department and the Opelika-Auburn Pickleball Club are hosting “Paddles at the Plex” on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the recently constructed Opelika Pickleball Facility.
The tournament will feature 279 players representing seven states. More than half of the players are coming from across state lines. Alabama players represent cities across the state including Huntsville, Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, Fairhope and Mobile. Only 20% of the players are from Lee County.
“We are excited about having people from all across the Southeast in Opelika,” said Sam Bailey, director of Opelika Parks and Recreation. “It gives us the chance to show off our facility and our community.”
Out of town guests staying in Opelika hotels, eating at Opelika restaurants and shopping at Opelika retailors means that the city is going to see increased revenue throughout the duration on the tournament. Anthony Terling, AO Tourism sports and event development manager, predicts that the estimated economic impact from the tournament will exceed $200k.
“Pickleball is one of the fastest growing sports, and we look forward to working with our partners on the Paddles at the Plex tournament to foster the growth of the sport and its economic benefits to our community,” said Terling.
Friday’s schedule will include Men’s doubles and Women’s singles for all skill and age groups. Saturday will feature mixed doubles for all skill and age groups. Sunday’s schedule includes Women’s doubles and Men’s Singles for all skill and age groups. The tournament will begin at 7:30 a.m. on Friday with an opening ceremony. Games begin at 8 a.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.