Issues such as noise, aesthetics, and traffic were discussed Thursday during a public meeting about the pickleball complex planned for Ben Hawes Park. Members of the River City Pickleball Club also stressed the importance of creating a high-quality venue that promotes the social aspect of the sport.
Earlier this month City officials unveiled the design plan for an 18-court complex at Ben Hawes Park. The plan also includes several spaces for shade, seating, practice areas, and other amenities.
While much work has gone into the plan, Parks and Recreation Director Amanda Rogers said there could be some final tweaks to the project before wrapping up the design and putting it out for bid.
“We’re getting close to the end. Before we get to any point of no return, it makes sense to have another public meeting to be able to allow people who live in the area, or anyone who participates in pickleball, to share their opinion about where we’re currently at with design or if there’s anything different that they would like to see,” Rogers said to kick off Thrusday’s meeting.
Rogers said conversations about creating City-run pickleball courts in Owensboro started in 2019. That led to the decision to renovate the one “rarely used” tennis court at York Park into the four pickleball courts.
“At that time the club said, ‘This is not enough courts.’ And I said ‘You might be right, but we’re going to start here, and that’ll make an easier argument later for more courts.’ They’re a pretty patient group,” Rogers said. “They were truly honest with their anticipation and growth numbers. Our numbers for pickleball are not going to go backward. They’re only going to grow.”
To date, those courts at York Park remain the only permanent recreation-style court that the City maintains ownership and management of. There have been some growing pains at that location, but the main reason for adding the complex at Ben Hawes is simply the evergrowing demand for a place to play.
Rogers said there were two locations to consider for the complex — Waymond Morris and Ben Hawes parks.
“We went with Ben Hawes because we already have a lot of infrastructure there,” she said. “We already have parking. We already have a restaurant facility at this location, although it needs some updates that we’re going to work on. But we have the space. We have a piece of property that’s not planned for anything else.”
There are only a handful of residents near the planned complex, and the closest ones live approximately 275 feet away from where the southern edge of the courts will be installed.
James and Alison Luckett have lived in their home for about 30 years. They were at the meeting Thursday and said their house is the only one that really faces the land where the facility is being built.
The couple said they support the project — and may even joining the pickleball club — but did have a few questions that were addressed during the meeting. Their main two concerns were the aesthetics and potential noise.
Rogers was adamant that landscaping was one of her top priorities, saying a line of trees spanning the width of the property would be planted as soon as construction began. She said multiple types of trees and bushes would be planted to both help absorb the noise and also maintain a pleasing view for the neighborhood. Rogers said a privacy fence could also be considered if noise is still an issue down the road.
Traffic flow was also briefly addressed, as the Lucketts noted it can get backed up when there are big tournaments on the golf course. Club members reiterated there would be very few tournaments and year, and Rogers said if necessary the City could work with the Owensboro Police Department to manage intersections.
The couple said they enjoy hearing the laughter of families enjoying themselves at the park and don’t want that to go away. Members said it wouldn’t.
“When we had our kickoff meeting, we said we want this to be the most fun place to play pickleball, whether you’re playing or not — and the ‘or not’ is kind of a key thing,” said River City Pickleball Club President Alex Ross. “Are you having a fun time just sitting there watching, just leaning on the fence?”
He continued, “Pickleball needs a home for it to really be pickleball.”
Rogers added, “From my understanding of pickleball, you come, you take your turn, you might wait around a little bit to go again, but it’s such a social sport that we want to make sure we have those spaces for people to stick around a while and socialize and wait for their next turn. That’s why all these additional spaces were important when we looked at that design.”
Members at the meeting also stressed they go above and beyond to maintain a clean facility. They also ensure fair play and equal playing time for members and non-members alike.
Rogers noted that a parkkeeper lives on site at Ben Hawes and would be able to quickly address any issues that come up.
While the park hours are technically 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. the pickleball playing hours would likely mimic York Park at 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Rogers also spent some time discussing the layout of the courts and access to amenities.
There is still a possibility for some changes, but as of Thursday the layout of the complex called for 16 recreational courts arranged in pods of fours, plus another two side-by-side champion courts that all include sideline seating. Each seating structure will have a built-in shade component.
The plan also shows an area for a practice wall and dink zone as well as an area for lessons. There will also be a dedicated area for food trucks to park.
Rogers said they do not plan to build a restroom structure at the complex, but there are restrooms a short walk away in the current parking lot at the park. A walking path will connect the lot to the courts. Rogers also noted they plan to renovate and expand those restrooms before the complex is completed.
Smaller details such as the type of fencing, the size of the windscreens, and sponsorship signage are still being discussed.
Rogers and the pickleball club are hopeful the entire complex could be built at once, but they understand it could need to be broken up into two to three phases based on the construction bids.
The project is planned to be bid out in sections. The first phase will focus on the westernmost half of the complex, including most of the recreational courts, one champion court, the walking path, and the food truck parking loop. The second phase will include the second champion court and four more recreational courts. The easternmost portion of the complex is being left open to allow for potential expansion later.
Rogers said contractors can submit a base bid for westernmost half of the complex, including most of the recreational courts, one champion court, the walking path, and the food truck parking loop. Contractos can also use an “a la carte” approach to submit bids on more courts and amenities.
“We want to make sure we can make the money go as far as possible,” Rogers said. “I think the priority for the club is really courts and making it nice.”
Owensboro Parks and Recreation is partnering with the River City Pickleball Club (RCPC) to build the facility. The City has already earmarked up to $1 million for the project and will provide funding at a 2:1 rate, meaning it will supply $2 toward the project for every $1 raised by the club.
Rogers previously said the hope is to bid on the project in November and complete construction by the summer of 2025.
