COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) — The Uptown Columbus area is one step closer to getting a long-awaited pickleball facility.
Demolition is now underway at the future site of the 28-court pickleball complex on 3rd Avenue, a project that city leaders and the Columbus, GA Pickleball Association have been working toward for more than three years.
The project obtained full funding from donations and grants, along with help from city officials.
"We are doing the whole facility," said Lance Tankersley, president of the Columbus, GA Pickleball Association. "28 courts, 16 covered, six outside courts, and then two championship courts."
The covered courts are a major bonus for locals used to cancelling games for weather. Monday evening, a group at Cooper Creek had to cut their session short due to the rain.
A study from Columbus State University projects that the facility will generate more than $11 million in economic impact and will support more than 60 jobs during construction and bring in hundreds of visitors each year.
Organizers say they hope to create a social hub for Columbus and offer programming for people of all ages and skill levels.
"We have to drive 45 minutes to Opelika to play in their facility, which is covered courts," said Columbus resident David Theriault.
Theriault says he recently played at a pickleball tournament in a very small town in North Georgia.
"500 or 600 people came for the weekend for that tournament. What an economic income impact to the area, filling up, where we eat, where we stay when we travel for tournaments," he said.
Theriault added, "I think that's going to be great for Columbus as well."
"The social aspect of it for Uptown, is kind of book-ending between the baseball stadium and this is pretty much the farthest of high Uptown that you can get," said Tankersley. "So, with those two aspects and the whole everything Uptown has to offer, it's going to be a true social hub."
Project organizers expect to start building the facility before the end of the year with a goal of opening in early 2026.
The facility will then be handed over to the city, ensuring it stays public, affordable, and accessible to everyone.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Proposed pickleball facility's economic impact.
0 comments: