Gladstone Pickleball Courts: The new home of Gladstone Area Pickleball at John and Melissa Besse Sports Park is nearing completion and expected to be open for play by the year’s end. For those currently using the shared-use courts in downtown Gladstone, the completion can’t come soon enough. This project has progressed remarkably fast, fueled by the enthusiasm and growing numbers of players in Delta County.
In 2021, a successful fundraiser organized by Gladstone Area Pickleball facilitated the resurfacing of multi-purpose courts at the southwest corner of Montana Avenue and South Tenth Street. The facility includes four pickleball courts, two tennis courts, and two basketball courts. However, due to the multi-sport nature of the facility, only one sport can utilize the courts at a time, necessitating a strict scheduling system. Moreover, as the courts are located on the grounds of James T. Jones Elementary School, availability is further restricted during school hours.
Expansion Plans and Funding Efforts
Despite the upgraded facilities, it quickly became evident that the group needed more space to accommodate their growing numbers. By October 2021, plans were underway to construct a brand-new, purpose-built eight-court facility dedicated to Gladstone Area Pickleball at Besse Sports Park. This park, already home to a ski hill, ball fields, and a disc golf course, provided an ideal location for the expanded pickleball courts.
Throughout 2022, Gladstone Area Pickleball continued to promote the concept and secure pledges from donors. In the summer of 2023, with $265,000 secured but needing an additional $100,000, a crowdfunding campaign titled “Courts of Dreams” was launched on the online platform Patronicity. The campaign exceeded its goal by late September, raising over $60,000 from members, local organizations, and visiting players. The Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s Public Spaces Community Places program contributed $50,000 towards the project. Additional funds raised will be allocated for ongoing maintenance and improvements.
Construction Progress and Site Preparation
The City of Gladstone prepared the site at the sports park early in the spring, and by mid-May, the cement foundation was ready for installation. U.P. Concrete was tasked with completing this crucial step.
“The court surface, a 20-foot gathering area section, and interior walkway cement were all completed by the end of May,” said Janet Shandonay-Beauvais, who, along with her husband Richard Beauvais, spearheads the project.
Currently, the project awaits the installation of posts by Delta Fence around the perimeter of the large slab area situated between a baseball diamond and the forested disc golf course. According to Shandonay-Beauvais, Delta Fence anticipates beginning work on Tuesday, July 9.
“They will begin with setting the exterior 10-foot fence posts in with continuation onto the inner fencing which will separate the individual courts, Once the exterior fence posts are in, U.P. Concrete will return at some point to pour a four-foot area of cement around the whole exterior fence. This provides a nice walkway around the courts, but also adds a barrier between grass and sand being able to impede on the actual playing surface. The courts themselves will be sealed and painted by Sealer King out of Wetmore, Mich.”-(sHANDONAY)
Although specific completion dates are yet to be determined, Gladstone Area Pickleball hopes the new courts will be ready for play by autumn. Until then, players will continue to adhere to a strict schedule at the courts near Jones Elementary: beginners and social players have designated times on weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon, intermediate players meet on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 8 to 10 a.m., and competitive players gather on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from 8 to 10 a.m. An open play session is available on Sundays at 1 p.m.
Shandonay-Beauvais noted that some days experience an “overload of players,” highlighting the urgent need for completion of the sports park courts.
Future Initiatives
Shandonay-Beauvais said, “Once the new courts are completed, it will allow us to schedule league play to ensure that all levels will have access to prime court time each morning when it is cooler and especially less windy.”
The group is not limited to just its members, who currently number about 110. With pickleball’s popularity, many visitors passing through the area looking for places to play end up joining Gladstone Area Pickleball, which emphasizes inclusivity in its name.
Registered as a nonprofit in Rapid River, Gladstone Area Pickleball aims to become a pickleball mecca for all of Delta County and its visitors. Only regular players are encouraged to buy a membership, the fees for which help the organization expand and maintain its facilities and equipment.
| Key Figures | Details |
| Project Location | John and Melissa Besse Sports Park, Gladstone |
| Expected Completion Date | By the end of the year |
| 2021 Fundraiser Outcome | Resurfaced multi-purpose courts at Montana Avenue and South Tenth Street |
| Multi-purpose Courts Composition | 4 pickleball courts, 2 tennis courts, 2 basketball courts |
| Additional Funding Required in 2023 | $100,000 |
| Crowdfunding Campaign Outcome | Raised over $60,000 |
| Contribution from MEDC | $50,000 through Public Spaces Community Places program |
| Initial Funds Secured Before Crowdfunding | $265,000 |
| Additional Funds Raised (Total) | $60,000 + $50,000 (MEDC) |
| Total Estimated Project Cost | $265,000 + $100,000 = $365,000 |
News in Brief: Gladstone Pickleball Courts
The new Gladstone Area Pickleball facility at John and Melissa Besse Sports Park is nearing completion, fueled by the growing enthusiasm of local players. The project, fast-tracked by a successful fundraiser in 2021, will feature eight dedicated courts. In 2023, a crowdfunding campaign raised over $60,000, supplemented by a $50,000 contribution from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. With a total project cost estimated at $365,000, the new courts aim to alleviate the overcrowding at downtown Gladstone’s shared-use courts. Expected to open by the year’s end, the facility will support the rapidly expanding pickleball community in Delta Count.
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