WEST LAFAYETTE — Purdue University students have a new place to play, connect, and spend time outdoors with the opening of the Pickett-Chaney Pickleball and Tennis Complex.
The new outdoor recreation facility is named in honor of Martin and Janice Pickett and Jean Anne “Jeannie” and James Chaney, two families with deep ties to Purdue whose support helped make the project possible.
Purdue Recreation & Wellness, known as RecWell, led the project, which expanded and resurfaced 18 pickleball courts. Each court is individually fenced, including three championship-sized courts. The complex also includes two individually fenced tennis courts.
In addition to the courts, the facility features a social space where students can gather, watch friends play, or study.
The new complex comes as pickleball continues to grow in popularity on campus. The expansion is designed to help meet increased participation during open recreation times and continued growth in the Purdue Pickleball Club and Intramural Sports programs.
“It ensures paddle and racket sports remain accessible and thriving for faculty, staff, and students for years to come,” said Beth McCuskey, Purdue’s vice provost for student life. “By incorporating the new complex with the adjacent intramural fields, we’ll be able to encourage students to balance long hours of studying and screen time with outdoor recreation. Pickleball is a great way to build friendships too!”
The Pickett-Chaney Pickleball and Tennis Complex is the first phase of RecWell’s broader Outdoor Master Plan, which focuses on transforming and expanding outdoor recreational spaces across the Purdue campus.
“This complex is about creating a place where students and the broader Purdue community can come together, build connections, and support their overall well-being,” said Mike Warren, senior director of RecWell. “Whether you’re a seasoned competitor or just looking for a fun way to spend an afternoon with friends, this facility was designed with you in mind.”
Warren said the new facility, combined with the Schwartz Tennis Center, gives Purdue students and the campus community more opportunities to remain active and connected.
RecWell also continues to offer indoor pickleball at the Multipurpose Activity Court inside the France A. Córdova Recreational Sports Center.
Honoring two Purdue families
The complex recognizes two families with long histories of supporting Purdue University.
The Chaney family’s support for Purdue spans more than 45 years. Jeannie Chaney earned her bachelor’s degree in pharmacy from Purdue in 1961. She and her husband, James, have committed more than $44 million to the university, supporting the College of Pharmacy, student scholarships, faculty programs, and campus facilities, including Chaney-Hale Hall of Science.
The Pickett family has also supported Purdue for decades. Pickett Memorial Park was dedicated in 1971, and Martin Pickett earned a bachelor’s degree in industrial management from Purdue in 1975.
Martin and Janice Pickett are currently working with Purdue on the university’s Outdoor Master Plan, which is designed to identify opportunities to expand and improve recreational spaces for the growing Purdue community.
With new courts, gathering spaces, and additional opportunities for outdoor activity, university leaders say the Pickett-Chaney Pickleball and Tennis Complex will help meet growing demand while creating another place for students and the Purdue community to connect.
