Attract Visitors with Pickleball Facilities: Delaware is investing a combined $10 million in five sports facilities to boost tourism through sporting events. This funding will support improvements and new construction, aimed at attracting out-of-state visitors to the area. The money will help local hotels and businesses benefit from increased tourism.
Funding Distribution and Facility Improvements
Kirkwood Sports, located near New Castle, will receive $4 million. The funding will be used for parking upgrades, expanding the facility, installing artificial turf on five fields, and adding lighting for those fields. This facility regularly hosts youth tournaments and serves as a hub for local sports.
The Bethany Tennis Club is set to build a new structure for multiple indoor courts dedicated to tennis and pickleball. This project is supported by a $3.8 million award aimed at improving recreational opportunities in Ocean View.
Hudson Fields in Milton will get $1.12 million to upgrade its nine outdoor playing fields. The funding will help install two new turf soccer fields and improve seven existing grass fields, enhancing the facility’s capabilities for various sports.
Additional Projects and Investments
Factory Sports, a new multisport facility in Frankford, will receive $577,000 to build two additional basketball courts, two volleyball courts, and six pickleball courts. This expansion aims to meet the growing demand for sports facilities in the area.
Dover Motor Speedway will receive $500,000 for upgrades that include new paving, an infield media center update, and an improved audio system. These enhancements are designed to improve the overall experience for visitors at the speedway.
Selection Process and Denied Projects
A state panel selected these projects from a pool of 17 applicants during a meeting on December 12. This meeting marked the second round of funding from the Sports Tourism Capital Investment Fund, established by a 2023 bond bill to support one-year spending initiatives.
Some proposed projects were denied funding. Notable denials include the construction of an aquatics facility in Dover and upgrades at Georgetown’s Sports At The Beach. Other rejected proposals included improvements to Midway Pickleball in Milton and the construction of an ice hockey arena in Dover. These decisions highlight the competitive nature of securing state funding for sports facilities in Delaware.
News in Brief: Attract Visitors with Pickleball Facilities
Delaware is investing $10 million in five sports facilities to enhance tourism through sporting events. Funding includes $4 million for Kirkwood Sports, $3.8 million for the Bethany Tennis Club’s indoor courts, and $1.12 million for Hudson Fields. Factory Sports will receive $577,000 for additional courts, while Dover Motor Speedway gets $500,000 for upgrades. Some projects, including Midway Pickleball, were denied funding.
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