Dresden residents dedicated a revitalized multi-purpose ball court at Bridge Academy on Saturday while introducing pickleball as a new use.

"Pickleball is tennis for old people," said player George Jones.

Dresden Recreation Committee Chairman Peter Walsh said that the new court will be open for young and old; it could be converted from pickleball to badminton or volleyball by simply raising the center court net, he said.

Walsh said that the decision to bring pickleball to town was partly because of its new-found popularity, but also because rebuilding the former tennis court would have cost twice the $15,000 price tag.

According to Mike Gallagher of the Central Maine Pickle Ball Club of Waterville, the game has been gaining popularity with over 400,000 association members and well over a million players nationally.

"It is like playing ping-pong while standing on the table,” said Gallagher.

He and members of the Waterville-based team gave a demonstration of the game, which is similar to tennis but requires less running, and is therefore suitable for older and less athletic players.

Rick Graffam, president of the Bridge Academy Board of Trustees, said that the old tennis court had fallen out of use due to cracks and rocks pushing up through the pavement.

"It was unsafe to play on,” said Graffam.

Walsh and Graffam appeared before Dresden selectmen in August to gain approval for spending up to $15,000 of funds dedicated to the recreation committee from cable franchise fees.

Walsh estimated on Saturday that in addition to the town funds that volunteers contributed up to $10,000 in volunteer time and materials to complete the project.

He said final touches will be put on the court soon by placing netting around the perimeter and painting lines and the interior court spaces. He is working out plans to have paddles and balls available to residents.

Graffam said that the court will add outdoor activities to the use of the former academy that houses the town library and computers.

"Our charter dictates that we look out for the kids," said Graffam.

According to Gallagher, pickleball originated with a family in Washington State that adapted a home court by lowering the badminton net, making homemade paddles and batting a wiffleball back and forth. The name pickleball came from the family dog who occasionally would steal the ball and haul it away into the woods. More information can be found online at USAPB.org.