CHARLESTON, Ill. (WCIA) — Eastern Illinois University is expanding one of their club sports programs.

Later on this year people will get to play pickle ball on some new flooring. It’s happening right in front of Groniger Arena, and they’ll be adding in six pickle ball courts. One faculty member said they’ve been working on this project for a while now.

“I’ve had prospective students and parents emailing me and asking me about ‘What does the pickleball club look like? How do I get involved?’ I just had an email last week for a mom asking about her daughter who’s planning to get involved,” Joshua Norman, Vice President for Enrollment Management, said. “It’s just a place where students can find belonging and connection, and it’s a sport that has such a low level of entry, which I feel like is why it’s catching like wildfire wildfire here in the state and across the nation as well.”

Construction outside is expected to finish up in July. They’ll also be working on new pickle ball courts inside the arena.