The South Whidbey Parks and Recreation District is considering a very preliminary design for half a dozen pickleball courts.

Support from a dedicated group of players for the construction of a permanent facility to play the fast-growing sport has caught the attention of the parks and rec district in recent months.

A committee made up of pickleball players and commissioners from the parks board has been meeting to discuss the project.

Doug Coutts, the executive director for the parks and rec district, said the committee has recommended the construction of six permanent courts.

Currently, pickleball is being played on three courts in a parking lot in the South Whidbey Sports Complex that are prone to water drainage issues.

Coutts said the permanent courts would be built in the northwest corner of the sports plex.

No sports fields would be removed to construct the courts.

However, the project is still in its early stages. There have been no formal designs made or costs calculated.

An estimate, Coutts said, could be $25,000 per court.

The project will depend on the availability of funding. Coutts said the district is looking at applying for grants next spring. If awarded, the funds would come in the following year. Construction could potentially begin in 2023.

If awarded the grants, the district would have to come up with 10 percent of the funds.

Coutts said a fundraising partnership with the pickleball fans could be formed.