Flight from London delayed? Hopefully you packed a pickleball paddle
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No, the London International Airport didn’t set up a pickleball court just to keep people occupied if their flight gets delayed.
Although if you are a traveller in that position, the airport’s president and CEO says you will be able to use the new facility in the northeast corner of the airport’s parking lot.
“It’s really for the staff and tenants and airline partners, as well as the community, to use,” said Scott McFadzean. “Should anyone experience a delay or have spare time at the airport, they’re certainly welcome to use it and we have (paddles) and balls available (for free).”
The real idea, according to McFadzean, is to bring some “fun and excitement” back to the airport after a couple of grim pandemic years.
The court opened at the end of last week and the executive says response has been “so far, so good, and it’s been well-received from everyone that we’ve talked to.” A pickleball court made sense for the London International Airport, says McFadzen, because it’s the fastest-growing sport in North America.
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“Rules for pickleball are simple, making it a great introductory sport,” airport officials said in a statement Monday. “It can also be quite the challenging, fast-paced, and competitive game when people become more experienced at playing and most importantly, it’s a lot of fun!”
Pickleball combines elements of tennis and ping-pong, and is played on a badminton-sized court using a modified tennis net, paddles and a plastic ball with holes in it.
Putting the court in the parking lot, in the corner closest to the arrival doors, was a straightforward process using paint machines at the airport, McFadzean says. “It’s just a good fit. And something that’s fun for all ages,” he said.
The airport boss, who says he likes his racquet sports, is mulling how he might use the court himself: “I’m debating putting out an open challenge to the (airport) staff that they can challenge me to one game and if they’re able to beat me, they get a free day off.”
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