Editor, Gaette-Journal:

I am writing to support the bond referendum on Gloucester’s Nov. 7 election ballot. As founder of the Gloucester Pickleball Club, I want to talk about what adding dedicated pickleball courts at minimal cost can do for our community.Over the past few years, pickleball has been the fastest-growing sport in America. Our Gloucester club has 300 members and only three indoor courts at the Newington Baptist Church indoor gym. Pickleball has a positive impact on people of all ages and sizes as it brings them together. As just one example, we have a six-year-old who comes out to play with her mom and grandparents. Also, more young people in their twenties are coming out to play.

Most of our surrounding counties have already built dedicated pickleball courts, including Deltaville, New Kent, York County, Newport News and Williamsburg. These courts are full all the time.

By contrast, it’s important that people know that some of our Gloucester parks have been negl...