In memory of Christy Pritchard (May 15th, 1954 - August 4th, 2025), API will dedicate a bench on the outdoor pickleball courts at Virginia Acres. The presentation will take place at 11:00am on Dec. 13th, 2025.

Christy was a member of the API leadership team as a 3.5 player representative and a supporter of many goodwill organizations as, Toys for Tots, Food Drives for the hungry, and a long-time advocate for children as Program Coordinator for Guardian ad Litem. 

Please join us for the dedication. 

On Monday November 10th, the current API Leadership Team met to vote on the new board governance.  The following five members were elected by majority vote to serve on the API Board, starting January 1, 2026, for a period of two years:  Jordyn Balba, Rochelle Bergren, Dean Cheatham, Nichol Gregory, and Chrissa Matthews   This morning, the elected members for 2026-2028 confirmed their nominations and the Board positions were finalized.

 Jordyn Balba – President

Chrissa Matthews – Vice President

Rochelle Bergren – Secretary

Dean Cheatham – Treasurer

Nichol Gregory – Board Advisory Representative

 API would like to extend our gratitude to all who applied. The high caliber of talent within the Aiken community is evident. We are hopeful that everyone will collaborate to improve Aiken Pickleball for all members, in alignment with API’s mission statement,

Mike Howard will be collecting donations for Toys for Tots and Golden Harvest on Saturday - December 13th -  between 12-3pm at the outdoor pickleball courts at Virginia Acres Park.  Requesting  donations of canned food items for Golden Harvest and or a new unwrapped toy in support of Toys for Tots for the Christmas holiday.  

One ticket will be given to each person who donates five canned food items - three tickets for ten cans or more - and/or a toy - which will allow that person a chance to win "Pickleball With a Purpose" T-shirts with logos (Toys For Tots & Golden Harvest) and/or a new Friday pickleball paddle with cover per drawings to be completed during the event.  You do not have to be present to win. All fourteen courts will be OPEN PLAY.   -  

 

  • Donation for Toys for Totand Golden Harvest - Saturday December 13th - 12-3pm - at outdoor Pickleball CourtS  Virginia AcreS Park

 

Aiken Pickleball - a 501c3 Organization

Welcome to the website for Aiken Pickleball, Inc., a 501c3 organization.  If you are new to the game and wondering how to get started, click here for answers to frequently asked questions.  Our intent is to promote the game of pickleball and to provide competitive and social pickleball activities. Our goal is to encourage sportsmanship and camaraderie through fun and exercise by playing the exciting and addictive sport of pickleball.  

On January 18th, 2023, Aiken Pickleball took the first step in becoming a non-profit organization at the request of the City of Aiken. This resulted in Aiken Pickleball, Inc (API) being awarded the contract to host the Palmetto Invitational Pickleball Doubles Tournament in August 2023 and again in 2024.  We also continue to manage the City's indoor pickleball programs at Odell Weeks and Smith-Hazel Recreation Center.   In addition, API manages the pickleball program at Gregg Park Civic Center in Graniteville, SC. Our request for tax exempt status was officially approved by the IRS on September 20th, 2023.  

Everyone that plays pickleball in the Aiken area is by default a member of Aiken Pickleball Inc.  The organization is run by volunteers and wouldn't exist without them.  Our many volunteers are the heart of our organization.

Pickleball is easy to learn and really fun to play. It can be played on a variety of levels from casual to very competitive.  The game offers players of all ages a good physical workout and the opportunity to meet a diverse group of people who share the passion that surrounds this exciting sport\.

We play at the Odell Weeks and Smith-Hazel Recreation Centers, Gregg Park Civic Center, and many other venues throughout Aiken.  Odell Weeks and Gregg Park both have six indoor courts.  Smith-Hazel has three indoor courts.  Everyone is entitled to make court reservations at these facilities.   Go to the "Calendar" tab on the main menu for our current playing schedule.  In addition, we have fourteen purpose-built pickleball courts located outside at Virginia Acres Park (behind Odell Weeks).  These public lighted courts are available year round.  

Odell Weeks is located at 1700 Whiskey Rd in Aiken.  The phone # is (803) 642-7631.

Gregg Park is located at 1001 A Avenue Graniteville, SC (just 5 miles from downtown Aiken).  The phone # is 803 663-7552

Smith-Hazel is located at 400 Kershaw St NE in downtown Aiken.  The phone # is (803) 642-7634

Come join us!

AIKEN PICKLEBALL IS GRATEFUL TO THE STAFF AND EMPLOYEES AT THE CITY OF AIKEN'S PARK, RECREATION AND TOURISM DEPARTMENT, THE ODELL WEEKS  AND SMITH-HAZEL RECREATION CENTERS AND THE GREGG PARK CIVIC CENTER FOR THEIR SUPPORT TO OUR PROGRAM

----------------------------------------------

General guidelines 

In order to provide the best possible playing experience for everyone, Aiken Pickleball operates under a set of guidelines. Normally we have three types of play spread throughout the available times each day.  These include drop-in play with all levels mixing together, drop-in play with courts designated by skill level, and court reservation play.  When courts are designated by skill level, we have different schematics (weekday mornings, weekday evenings, and weekends) based on the court usage for different skill levels during those times.  These designations are periodically reviewed and adjusted.   Aiken County players will be given a FREE SKILL RATING upon request.  Click here to sign up.

All players who participate in drop-in play by skill levels need to be rated by the committee.  Visitors may play for a brief period at the level the player representatives feel is appropriate.  Players who are visiting for a longer term and who have a rating at another location should check with the player representatives at that level to determine if that rating is acceptable for our local system.

----------------------------------------------

Guidelines for reserving courts via Sign-up Genius are available at the

"Sign-ups" tab

--------------------------------------------