MONROE — The grand opening of the Colony Brands Foundation Pickleball Complex will be Wednesday, July 5 at Northeast Park in Monroe. A ribbon cutting ceremony will take place followed by speeches from Monroe Mayor Donna Douglas and Colony Brands Foundation President John Baumann, along with court sponsors, bench sponsors and other generous donors.

Pickleball was first introduced in 1965, but from 2021 to 2024 the sport was named the fastest growing sport in the United States by the Sports and Fitness Industry Association. By 2024, it was estimated there were 19.8 million participants in the United States, a 311% growth since 2021.

Following the opening ceremonies, the first league night of Pickleball will begin.