BY GRACIE WARHURST Health & wellness Health & Wellness Edition 2026
Welcome to our annual Health & Wellness Edition! The World Health Organization de nes wellness as, “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or in rmity.” In this edition, we explore this topic with stories about the popularity of sports—including pickleball and golf—among Georgetown residents, how schools create balanced student meals, and options for nonalcoholic cocktails around town.
Gold Sponsors
Claire Shoop Editor cshoop@ communityimpact.com
Family Emergency Room Georgetown https://www.georgetownfamilyer.com/ 512 690 4590 Family Emergency Room Georgetown provides immediate emergency care for children and adults. Owned and operated by highly experienced, board-certi ed emergency physicians dedicated to serving their community.
Ascension Seton Williamson https://healthcare.ascension.org/ locations/texas/txaus/round-rock- ascension-seton-williamson 512 324 4000 Care you trust, close to home—24/7 emergency services, Level II Trauma Center, and nationally recognized maternity care for all families.
What's inside
Learn how GISD works to meet nutrition standards (Page 23)
Read about 1872 Golf Club’s indoor simulators (Pages 24 25)
For relevant news and daily updates, subscribe to our free email newsletter!
Georgetown increases number of city pickleball courts to meet rising demand
The options Three city of Georgetown facilities o er pickleball.
Georgetown Tennis Center • Courts: 16 • Type: Outdoor
SERENADA DR.
LAKEWAY DR.
Eight years ago, Georgetown had just four pickleball courts at the Georgetown Tennis Center. The city now has 16 courts at the Tennis Center, as well as 12 courts at other facilities, in response to increased interest in the sport, city o cials said. “I’ve never seen a sport explode like pickleball has,” Georgetown Recreation Program Coordina- tor Pete Polkinghorn said. “It’s just an absolute phenomenon.” The impact Polkinghorn attributes the increased popularity of pickleball to its physical and social bene ts, as well as its accessibility. “One of the things that I see in pickleball is it has gotten so many people o of the couch and so many people that have just never exercised out moving around and playing,” Polkinghorn said.
Compared to tennis, pickleball requires more cardio, because the ball is typically in play for longer, Polkinghorn said. But while tennis can take years to master, Polkinghorn said someone who has never played pickleball could play a game after an hour of lessons. The game is also “very social,” on and o the court, Polkinghorn said. “There’s a lot of banter among the players,” Polkinghorn said. “And, because there’s so many people playing, there’s generally a lot of people waiting around to play, and so they have a lot of social interaction.” One more thing In addition to open play, Georgetown o ers various pickleball programming such as family play days, and introductory and intermediate classes.
• Reservation required: Yes • Cost: Up to $4 per player per hour
WILLIAMS DR.
N
McMaster Athletic Complex • Courts: 6 • Type: Outdoor • Reservation required: No • Cost: Free
W L WALDEN DR.
HOLLY ST.
N
Georgetown Recreation Center • Courts: 6 • Type: Indoor
35
• Reservation required: No • Cost: Up to $6 per player per day
N. AUSTIN AVE.
N
21
GEORGETOWN EDITION
Powered by FlippingBook