Carbon Hill Pickleball Courts: The Carbon Hill Town Council voted 3-1 on May 15 to seek bids for building pickleball courts at the new park near the Blue Gym and splash pad. Councilwoman Jennifer Horton voted against the plan. The project aims to add a popular recreational space to the community.
The council also approved paying $3,506.44 for an archaeological survey related to a pool grant, which is separate from the pickleball court plans. The District 1 council seat remains vacant after Ursula Nicholas resigned, and Judy Hurst was absent during the vote.
Plans for Pickleball Courts and New Park
The pickleball courts will be part of the new Central Park area proposed near the Blue Gym. Walker County Commissioner Jeff Burrough supports the project and said the courts could be built quickly and affordably.
An engineering company estimated $170,000 to build the courts, but Burrough expects the final cost to be about half that with in-kind work.
Mayor David Phillips explained that building pickleball courts is not very expensive. The hardest part, he said, is making sure they are painted and sized correctly for official play. The courts will be near a splash pad, creating a park area that Burrough said will improve life in Carbon Hill.
Community Support and Location Discussion
The popularity of pickleball in nearby Jasper and other areas was highlighted during the meeting. Burrough mentioned that young people in Carbon Hill are already playing the sport and it is gaining fans of all ages.
Councilwoman Jennifer Horton asked who chose the pickleball site and how the decision was made. Mayor Phillips said the location is shown on proposed maps of the park.
He mentioned that in June 2023, three maps showed possible park features including tennis courts, a basketball court, and pickleball courts. Horton was appointed to the council in December 2023 after the pool grant application in October, so she was not involved in earlier discussions.
Phillips said the town plans to get a few bids and compare them to see what work could be done with volunteer help. The council will approve the final bids.
News in Brief: Carbon Hill Pickleball Courts
The Carbon Hill Town Council voted 3-1 to seek bids for pickleball courts near the Blue Gym splash pad. The project could cost about $85,000 with volunteer help and be finished in a few months. The courts aim to boost local recreation and economic growth, with community members already enjoying the sport.
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