Churchville has a new pickleball complex at the Richard McNeely Park on Buffalo Road.

Pickleball is a combination of tennis, ping pong and badminton. All ages and all skill levels are encouraged to give the paddle sport a try.

Riga's Recreation Supervisor David Thomas secured a $50,000 grant to build the two courts.

Thomas has been a long time player and pickleball instructor. When he started 11 years ago, Monroe County had two pickleball courts. The county now boasts some 175 pickleball courts to play on both indoors and out, he said.

"It has been a passion and satisfaction that I have been a part of this awesome monster we created,” Thomas said. “The nice thing about this game is that there is a fast learning curve and once you learn how to play you keep getting better and better."

"I started playing about 11 years ago. I have been hooked ever since,” said Wendy Cooper, a pickleball enthusiast from Greece. “What I love about it is the community. You meet so many different people. I travel and take my pickleball paddle with me so I meet new people. Any age can play. We've got seniors out here playing and we can take on those younger guys sometimes. It's teamwork and community building."

Never played? No problem. The new complex has an "honor equipment box" allowing new players to borrow some pickleball gear to use at the park to take a few test swings.