Pickleball Arena at Stone Park: Oxford officials have decided to build new pickleball courts at Stone Park instead of renovating the old Hayakawa building. The Board of Aldermen approved funding to begin the design process, aiming to create a tournament-ready facility with 16 courts.
Hayakawa Building Too Costly to Renovate
During a recessed meeting on Wednesday, city officials reviewed the costs of repurposing the Hayakawa building on Industrial Park Road. According to Mark Levy, Oxford’s director of special projects, the estimated $3.5 million renovation cost would only cover 60% of the building.
Additionally, the entire HVAC system would need replacement, and the ceiling height would not meet tournament standards. Mayor Robyn Tannehill explained that the city originally viewed the Hayakawa building as a temporary solution.
“We budgeted $1 million for the renovations. And we felt if we could have the courts here for five years’ use out of it before we re-purposed the building, we felt that was a good investment. Then we found out it’s going to take a million just on the HVAC.” – (Robyn Tannehill)
New Facility to Offer Long-Term Benefits
Instead of investing in short-term fixes, the city will use the same budget to build a dedicated pickleball facility at Stone Park, replacing an old softball field. Levy noted that this plan ensures Oxford gets a tournament-ready venue, which could bring more visitors and boost local revenue.
The Board of Aldermen has approved funding for engineers to evaluate the site and create preliminary designs, including courts, bathrooms, parking, and other amenities. Once finalized, the timeline for construction and completion will be announced.
News in Brief: Pickleball Arena at Stone Park
Oxford is shifting plans to build 16 new pickleball courts at Stone Park instead of renovating the Hayakawa building. The $3.5 million project will create a tournament-ready facility, attracting visitors and supporting the local economy. City officials have approved initial funding for site evaluation and design.
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