Owensboro Parks and Recreation is partnering with the River City Pickleball Club (RCPC) to build a state-of-the-art outdoor pickleball facility at Ben Hawes. Parks and Recreation has earmarked $1 million for the project, while the RCPC will raise a minimum of $500,000.
The two groups are currently reviewing initial conceptual site plans designed by Lose Design Firm, which is also handling the English Park renovations. They anticipate having finalized renderings after a meeting next Thursday.
Once that happens, RCPC will have the green light to commence its fundraising efforts.
“I have complete confidence in the club and their capacity to raise the necessary funds,” Director of Parks and Recreation Amanda Rogers said. “We’re eagerly anticipating our meeting next week to assess our progress and visualize the final outcome.”
Rogers added that they will likely phase the construction process and ensure each phase is satisfactory when standing alone and isn’t dependent on the ensuing phase. She said the wishlist is long and wants to ensure they’re fiscally responsible with taxpayers’ money.
“There is no doubt there’s a need,” Rogers said. “This sport has been successful in warmer climates for years, growing rapidly across the country. It’s amazing how fast the local club has grown in just a few years. I don’t see the sport slowing down anytime soon.”
In a kick-off meeting with Parks and Rec. and Lose, RCPC president Alex Ross and other club members challenged the firm to create a state-of-the-art facility that could be a pride and joy for local players and a “beacon of pickleball for the region.”
“We want this to be a fun facility, whether you’re playing or not,” Ross said. “There is a lot of time when you’re at the court, waiting for a game or just hanging out and socializing, and we want that experience to be fun too. We’ve focused on gathering areas, shade structures, and other elements that would improve the overall experience.”
The facility will likely feature between 14 and 20 courts, two of which would be champion courts. There are plans for a plaza, practice wall, food truck parking, spectator sheathing, branding walls, and more.
Currently, the county has four public pickleball courts: York Park, six Yellow Creek Park, and three Standley. There are also courts at Owensboro Country Club and the Pearl Club and some temporary courts at Centre Court.
When Ross took over as president last year, he said there were 250 members; that number has increased to 550, and he said they’re struggling to keep up with the demand.
“We want to be able to host tournaments and have a facility for our social leagues and regional and in-house events,” he said. “There just aren’t enough courts to accommodate the volume of players. And on top of that, because they are spread across town, it takes away from the social heart of the sport.”
RCPC and Owensboro Parks and Recreation are excited to offer a central location for pickleball enthusiasts, ranging from rookies and amateurs to top amateurs and professionals.
