Planned Pickleball Courts to be Located Near Tennis Courts and Aquatic Center
Orange Beach is planning to add outdoor pickleball courts near the Tennis and Aquatic Center, following the lead of nearby cities Gulf Shores and Foley, which have already embraced this fast-growing sport.
According to Parks and Recreation Director Nicole Ard, the proposed courts will be situated just north of the aquatic center, on the former site of the community garden, which has since been relocated.
Along with the pickleball courts, the city is considering improvements to traffic flow around the recreation complex and the addition of a more dedicated parking area.
Gulf Shores recently introduced 12 lighted pickleball courts at its Sportsplex, while Foley is developing outdoor courts north of the Coastal Alabama Farmers and Fishermenās Market.Ā
Furthermore, the FoleyĀ OccasionsĀ CenterĀ facilitatedĀ the USA PickleballĀ InletĀ Coast SelectĀ ArrangementĀ competitionĀ fromĀ EminentĀ 23-26.
Orange Beach has the potential to construct 14 courts, with plans to include lighting. Ard emphasized the importance of having 12 courts, the standard number needed for various activities and tournaments.
With additional space available, the city aims to build extra courts and a small building that will offer restrooms, shaded areas, and vending options. This would make the complex the largest of its kind in the area.
The proposed lighting will likely feature energy-efficient LED bulbs that minimize light pollution, focusing illumination solely on the courts. However, funding and budget considerations will ultimately determine the final details.
The first step in the project involves designing and bidding out the restroom facility. During a recent council meeting work session, there was discussion about hiring McCollough Architecture for $14,000 to design the pickleball restroom building, which would cover 980 square feet, including a 784-square-foot covered porch. The total cost is estimated at around $450,000.
Ard highlighted the importance of providing shaded areas for players, acknowledging that many local courts lack such amenities. The current plan is to make the courts open and accessible to the public at any time, although specific details are still being finalized.
At present, the city accommodates pickleball players at the recreation center gym, where three courts are temporarily set up when space allows. However, due to high demand for gymnasium space, scheduling can be challenging.
The project is still in the planning phase, making it difficult to establish a timeline or final cost for the new courts. Nonetheless, the goal is to create a welcoming and accessible facility for pickleball enthusiasts in the community.
Source: www.obawebsite.com/
