On Wednesday, Dec. 4, the YMCA of Greater Oklahoma City celebrated the official groundbreaking of its first-ever outdoor pickleball facility, which will be located next to the Earlywine Park YMCA. The 8-court, 15,600 square-foot complex is set to open in April 2025 and will be named the Thurman Family Pickleball Center in honor of the Thurman family’s generous support, which made this facility possible. 

The event, attended by community members, pickleball enthusiasts and YMCA staff, marked a significant milestone for the YMCA of Greater Oklahoma City. Speakers included Randy and Pati Thurman, YMCA members and the benefactors of the facility, Paul Urquhart, Executive Director of the Earlywine Park YMCA, and Kelly Kay, President & CEO of the YMCA of Greater Oklahoma City. 

“Pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in the nation” said Pati Thurman, YMCA donor, member and pickleball player. “It keeps us active, but it’s also good for your mind. We’ve developed friendships and really built a community around this sport.” 

“This facility will be a game-changer for our community, offering a place where people of all ages—whether they’re 6 or 96—can come together to stay active and enjoy pickleball year-round,” said Paul Urquhart, Executive Director of Earlywine Park YMCA. 

“This facility represents a significant first for our YMCA: our first-ever dedicated pickleball space,” said Kelly Kay, President & CEO of the YMCA of Greater Oklahoma City. “For years, pickleball matches have taken place in basketball gyms, parking lots, multipurpose rooms and even outdoor courtyards at some of our Ys. While these spaces worked, they were never designed with the sport in mind. The Thurman Family Pickleball Center will serve as a home for pickleball—a place where players of all skill levels can come together to learn, compete, build friendships and grow.” 

For over 135 years, the YMCA of Greater Oklahoma City has been dedicated to improving the health and well-being of the communities it serves. This new pickleball facility is the latest example of the Y’s ongoing efforts to create spaces that inspire people to connect, play and grow together.