Permanent Pickleball Courts in Bad Axe: The city of Bad Axe is set to enhance its recreational facilities by installing permanent pickleball courts in Bad Axe City Park. This initiative comes in response to growing community demand, with residents currently improvising by using tennis courts for pickleball. City Manager Rebecca Bachman announced that the new courts will replace one of the two tennis courts, providing a dedicated space for the popular sport.
The project, funded through the city’s 2024-25 fiscal year budget, gained approval at the August 5 city council meeting. Bachman has also sought advice from Harbor Beach to ensure a smooth project launch. The next city council meeting on August 19 will further address the project and other community matters.
Project Overview
City Manager Rebecca Bachman revealed that the new courts would replace one of the two existing tennis courts in Bad Axe City Park.
“We’ve had a couple of groups come to the city and ask for courts. A lot of them carry around their own nets and already set their stuff up on the tennis courts. This will give residents the space to not have to do that anymore.” – (Bachman)
Budget and Approval
The funding for the pickleball courts was already earmarked in the city’s 2024-25 fiscal year budget. During the August 5 city council meeting, a motion was passed unanimously, 7-0, to seek estimates for the project. Bachman noted that she had reached out to Harbor Beach for advice on how to initiate the project.
“I reached out to (Ron Wruble) in Harbor Beach. He said he had no idea where to get started when he was looking for Harbor Beach. He just started making phone calls. From that he was able to get me a list to get started.” – (Bachman)
Learning from Experience
Bachman’s proactive approach included visiting the Harbor Beach courts and consulting further with Wruble to gain a comprehensive understanding of the process. This hands-on research aims to ensure the project’s success and provide a valuable recreational resource for Bad Axe residents.
Community Tribute
During the meeting, Mayor Kathleen Particka took a moment to honor the memory of Dick, a beloved community member.
“For those of you who only just knew him coming to council meetings, you have no idea what Dick was to this community. He worked for the post office for 36 years, he mentored high school kids and coached golf. He led Ubly Schools to the state championship. His love for his community was immeasurable as was his love for his family. If he had lived through the fall, he would have welcomed his 10th great-grandchild. That alone is a legacy.” – (Kathleen Particka)
Next Steps
The next Bad Axe City Council meeting is scheduled for August 19 at 6:30 p.m. at Bad Axe City Hall, where further developments on the pickleball courts and other community projects will be discussed.
News in Brief: Permanent Pickleball Courts in Bad Axe
The city of Bad Axe is advancing plans to install permanent pickleball courts at Bad Axe City Park, replacing one of the two existing tennis courts. City Manager Rebecca Bachman mentioned that residents have been requesting dedicated courts to avoid setting up their nets on tennis courts.
The project, funded in the city’s 2024-25 fiscal year budget, received approval at the August 5 city council meeting to seek estimates. Bachman consulted Harbor Beach’s Ron Wruble for project initiation tips. Additionally, Mayor Kathleen Particka honored Dick, a community pillar, for his contributions. The next city council meeting is on August 19 at 6:30 p.m. at Bad Axe City Hall.
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