City of Progress celebrates grand opening of Pickleball Complex
ENTERPRISE, Ala. (WDHN) — On Wednesday, Mayor Cooper along with dozens of pickleball players, members of Enterprise City Council, Enterprise State Community College President Danny Long and others held a ceremonial “dink” by hitting pickleballs over the net for the official opening of the complex.
“Back in 2016 we started with two pickleball courts and a handful of pickleball players and look where we are today,” Billy Powell, Director of Community Services and Recreation said. “It’s great to see such a turnout for this new complex. That is a testament to the need for this in our community.”
Enterprise City Council approved an agreement with ESCC in February 2023 for the project. Construction began in July of 2023 with the help of McKee & Associates and Beasley Construction.
“Utilizing the old tennis courts allowed us to be good stewards of taxpayer dollars,” Cooper said. We were able to transform that rundown facility into a new, state-of-the-art complex that I hope Enterprise will enjoy for years to come.”
Members of the City of Enterprise’s Public Works Department and Parks and Recreation Department helped complete the project on time and on budget. However, due to a manufacturing delay beyond the city’s control, a part needed for the lights on the courts has yet to be delivered.
“We didn’t want to make the community wait any longer,” Powell explained. “While we ordered the part months ago, unfortunately, we are still waiting. We expect that to arrive in the next few weeks and will install it as soon as possible.”
The courts will be open from sunrise to sunset as a safety measure for players until all lights are working. Once installed, the courts will be open from sunrise to 10 p.m. In the meantime, pickleball courts are still available in the evening hours at Donaldson Park in Enterprise.
“The pickleball players in Enterprise are some of the most passionate and enthusiastic athletes in our community and we appreciate their patience as we navigate this minor inconvenience, but, as Billy mentioned, we just didn’t want them to have to wait any longer to use the courts,” said Blake Moore, Superintendent of Enterprise Parks and Recreation.
Moore, who served as host for the grand opening, also recognized Leigh Cassady, who he called “a champion for the sport”.
“We are grateful for her support of our program. Not only did she provide financial support, but she also was instrumental in getting the pavilion donated by Baker Metal Works & Supply.”
Photo courtesy of the City of Enterprise Photo courtesy of the City of Enterprise Photo courtesy of the City of Enterprise Photo courtesy of the City of Enterprise Photo courtesy of the City of Enterprise Photo courtesy of the City of Enterprise Photo courtesy of the City of Enterprise Photo courtesy of the City of Enterprise Photo courtesy of the City of Enterprise Photo courtesy of the City of Enterprise Photo courtesy of the City of Enterprise Photo courtesy of the City of Enterprise Photo courtesy of the City of Enterprise
To help meet the demand for the sport, the new EPRD Recreation and Aquatic Center will have the ability to transform the indoor basketball courts into ten pickleball courts. That facility is expected to open by the end of 2024.
For more information about pickleball, the rules/regulations, and group play times, please click here.
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