Mississippi can sometimes be late to the party, even with today’s ability to find anything, anywhere with the internet and social media.

Even Pickleball has been a little slow to catch on in the Magnolia State.

Despite that, there are plenty of places to grab a game in the Jackson metro area, but most are private settings that require membership, such as the Country Club of Jackson, The Club at the Township in Ridgeland and even the Picklejar in Jackson as an indoor venue with two courts.

The one public area with access for Pickleball courts is the Ridgeland Tennis Center, which has dual access for four courts that doubles as a tennis court.

Now, one place in the area is changing that.

The City of Flowood has broken ground on a project on Liberty Road that developers said will be the largest outdoor Pickleball facility in Mississippi.

Daniel Lang, director of economic development at City of Flowood, said Monday the city has broken ground and the Pickleball-only courts could be ready as soon as the first of the year.

The development, along Liberty Road, next door to the YMCA, which is expected to cost $3 million, is set for 18 new lighted pickleball courts, a playground with restrooms and a new parking lot.

“Don’t hold me to it, but we believe this will be the largest outdoor Pickleball facility in the state,” Lang said. “We know it has caught on around the country and there are a lot of people who love it and play it.”

Flowood had already jumped on the Pickleball wagon last year, having converted tennis courts at Winner’s Circle Park into four Pickleball Courts. Those will be turned back into full-time tennis courts when all is said and done for a total of 18 Pickleball courts at Liberty Park and five tennis courts at Winner’s Circle Park.

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Lang said he stops short of saying this will be the largest Pickleball facility in the state as a company called Picklr is taking over part of a former Hobby Lobby for a venue in Biloxi on the Gulf Coast. According to their website, that grand opening is set for October 2024 and may have more than 18 courts.

“We can definitely envision having tournaments and hosting people from all over the state,” Lang said. “Pickleball is an exploding sport, and we feel like we have a great place to put courts and for people to play.”

Flowood Mayor Gary Rhoads said he wants to expand family-friendly activities.

“Pickleball is the fastest growing sport and all ages can play,” Rhoads said. “We want to meet that demand and supply as many courts as possible. We want more people to experience all of the great amenities Flowood has to offer and this new Pickleball complex will be for every member of the family to enjoy.”

Ross Reily can be reached by email at rreily@gannett.com or 601-573-2952. You can follow him on Twitter @GreenOkra1.