Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott announced upcoming changes to the Jean Shepherd Community Center.

Hammond’s Jean Shepherd Community Center is transforming into a pickleball and community center. It will house 12 indoor courts. Space inside the facility is also being converted into a bar that will serve food and liquor to the players. The city will partner with a local pickleball group to offer clinics, tournaments, drop-ins and leagues starting in November.

Annual events such as the Monster Mash, indoor garage sales and flower giveaway will return after the improvements along with the use of the walking track. New membership opportunities will be available in early 2025.

“We wanted to fill the void for the booming interest in pickleball in Hammond and beyond and The Jean was the perfect location to house this growing community,” McDermott said in a press release. “I’m looking forward to welcoming a new group of athletes to the city.”

The Hammond Parks and Recreation Department will also add three pickleball courts to Pulaski Park.

The Jean Shepherd Community Center works to provide weekly activities and community-based events for people of all ages. The center is located at 3031 J.F. Mahoney Dr. in Hammond.