Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation awarded a Spring Community Benefit Grant to NorthLake Family Recreation Center for the addition of two pickleball courts. The NorthLake Family Recreation Center is a drug, alcohol, and smoke-free environment dedicated to the improvement of the quality of life in the Western New York area.

Pickleball is one of the fastest growing sports in North America, especially in Florida.  It is a racquet sport that combines features of tennis, badminton, and ping pong.  The court is smaller than tennis, but the game features many of the same rules and competitive spirit in a less taxing environment.    The racquet looks like a large ping pong paddle, while the ball is like a whiffle ball.   The game can be played with two or four players, and is especially popular as a doubles game.

NorthLake will host a Pickleball Open House on Wednesday, July 27, for those who are interested in trying the sport guaranteed for fun. Two sessions will be offered: 9-11 am and 6:30 -8:30 pm.  Equipment and instruction will be available for attendees. Comfortable shoes are encouraged. Northlake Recreation Center is located at 38 Nichols Avenue in Westfield.  The new pickleball courts will be open seven days a week during daylight hours on a first come, first served basis at no cost.

The NorthLake Family Recreation Center, incorporated in 1997, is a private nonprofit corporation run by an all-volunteer Board of Directors that provides facilities for soccer, baseball, basketball, pickleball, and volleyball.

The NCCF, celebrating 30 years of charitable leadership, is committed to improving the community through the promotion of local philanthropy, strategic grantmaking, and community leadership.  Served by a small staff and governed by an all-volunteer board of directors, the organization has distributed over $12 million in the form of grants and scholarships within the community.  Truly community in nature, the NCCF is an organization created by and for the people of northern Chautauqua County.  For more information, visit www.nccfoundation.org.