Homer Skelton Foundation Funds Pickleball Courts: Pickleball Courts in Olive Branch has received a $510,000 donation from the Homer Skelton family to support the construction of new pickleball courts. The contribution, presented at the March 18 Board of Aldermen meeting, will cover most of the project’s cost, allowing the city to move forward with the highly anticipated addition to City Park.
Major Donation Boosts Pickleball Plans
Brennon Chapman and Chelsie Chapman Gilbert, grandchildren of Homer Skelton, presented the donation to Mayor Ken Adams on behalf of the family and the Homer Skelton Charitable Foundation. The funds will go toward building six pickleball courts and restroom facilities adjacent to the dog park in City Park. Mayor Adams expressed gratitude for the donation, emphasizing its impact on the community.
“We are absolutely excited and thankful for the Homer Skelton family and the Homer Skelton Foundation,” (Mayor Ken Adams).
Pickleball, a rapidly growing sport, is one of the most requested amenities by residents. It is a fast-paced paddle sport that combines elements of tennis and badminton and is particularly popular among middle-aged and older adults, as well as younger players in the 25-34 age group.
Legacy of Giving in Olive Branch
The Skelton family has a long history of charitable contributions in Olive Branch. Homer Skelton, a successful businessman and philanthropist who passed away in 2020, owned car dealerships in Olive Branch, Memphis, and Millington, Tennessee. The Homer Skelton Charitable Foundation, founded in 1985, has supported numerous causes in Mississippi and Tennessee, including education, healthcare, and community development.
The foundation has provided grants to organizations such as Northpoint Christian School, DeSoto County Schools, Olive Branch Food Pantry, and the Memphis Union Mission. Mayor Adams highlighted Skelton’s quiet generosity, noting his contributions to projects like the Field of Dreams baseball field for handicapped children and scholarships for students.
“They have been an awesome family to the community for years,”. “I venture to say the list was probably double if people really knew where he gave anonymously to so many people and causes.”(Mayor Ken Adams)
The city presented the Skelton family and the foundation with a resolution in recognition of their generosity. Adams noted that the donation will provide residents with a recreational facility that will benefit the community for years to come.
Construction Plans and Timeline
During the meeting, the Board of Aldermen voted to approve a low bid of $978,000 from Alexander Construction to build the courts. The city received nine bids for the project, a higher-than-expected number that Mayor Adams described as a positive outcome.
“It’s very positive to have that number of bids for a project of this scope,”. “Usually we receive three or four. So to have nine bids is very positive.”(Mayor Ken Adams)
Construction is expected to begin in July or early August, with completion anticipated by late fall or spring 2026.
News in Brief: Homer Skelton Foundation Funds Pickleball Courts
Olive Branch has received a $510,000 donation from the Homer Skelton family to fund new pickleball courts in City Park. The city approved a $978,000 bid for construction, set to begin in mid-2025. Mayor Ken Adams expressed gratitude, calling it a major boost for the community’s growing pickleball scene.
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