The second you walk in the doors of the Castleton Recreation Center, you will be embraced by contagious laughter, the cracking sounds of pickleball rackets colliding with the ball, and some competitive and playful hooting and hollering that comes with competition.

Bob and Mary McIntyre created the pickleball program three years ago. Bob highlighted the strong sense of community building, and the ability for people to get exercise in a more exhilarating way. 

“It’s not just community members,” said McIntyre, revealing there are some out-of-town competitors. “There are probably four or eight of us that go out after playing.” 

They often support local businesses like the Castleton Deli and Birdseye diner, he said.

“I played all three sports in high school,” said Rob Murphey wearing a knee brace, sweating from the intense past games. Despite being much older than the high school days, he said he never lost the edge that competition brings, which is shown in his vocal and entertaining tone during games. 

Murphey now delivers propane for the Fyles Brothers, located in Orwell, Vermont, but was a firefighter for the Navy in the past. He related the immense comradery in the Navy to the tight sense of community in the rec center.

Other players agree.

“I find the community the best,” said Marj Kyhil, a part-time employee at VTSU-Castleton Wellness Center who also discussed the comradery pickleball at the Castleton Recreation Center provides.

“It’s fun, and very respectful of what your needs are,” Kyhil stated with a grin forming on her face, hinting towards the diverse age range and experience level the Castleton Recreation boasts.

The courts see a range of 30- to mid-70-year-olds, while also sprinkling in a couple 20-year-olds that will sometimes show up, he said. Multiple players mentioned how during the summer, people from other states will come and play due to their homes on the lake.

Despite the games being very respectful amongst teammates, there is much playful bickering. They specifically call out Kyhil because of her “Marj Shot.” This shot is a lob shot that goes over the heads of the opponents, making it almost impossible to return. The members say, “you got Marj’d,” he said.  

“The nice part is how the scheduling accommodates the working people,” part-time orthopedic Cherly Morris emphasized. “Some people work during the week which makes playing harder for them. Having time slots during the day, and then some at night help with scheduling.” 

It is widely known at the rec center that if you miss a sign-up window, you simply do not play that day. 

“Twelve players per section, and about 40 people signed up to play,” Bob McIntyre said.

Castleton Recreation utilizes the Playtime Schedule app for the participants to sign-up. Players said that it is very easy to sign-up, and if you had requested to play and can’t make it anymore, you simply take yourself off, and someone else has the opportunity to join. 

The recreation center is not limited to pickleball, however. 

Drama club, horticulture club and a brand-new tai chi program are just some of the programs offered now. Yoga classes are also in the works. 

“We need the rec center,” Bob McIntyre stated. 

Having this in the town brings people together and allows community members to have something to look forward to.

If you are looking for a strong sense of community, the Castleton Recreation is full of it.

“College kids are encouraged to check this out,” McIntyre adds. 

It doesn’t matter if you have no experience playing or a ton, you are welcomed at the Castleton Recreation anytime, he said.