Augusta Pickleball Complex: Investor Troy Akers wants to build a large pickleball and tennis complex in Augusta, Georgia. He presented an $80 million plan to city leaders, but Augusta staff members asked the commission to reject the offer. On Tuesday, city leaders chose to keep discussing it rather than make a final decision.
A Costly but Promising Proposal
Troy Akers shared his idea earlier this year. His plan includes 18 championship tennis courts, 48 pickleball courts (24 indoors), a hotel, and a 15,000-square-foot gym with a walking track. He estimates the project would bring 875 jobs—350 direct and 525 indirect.
The total cost would be around $80 million. Akers is only asking the city to fund the tennis courts—about 10% of the total cost. The rest would come from private money. “Even if you’re not a pickleball or a tennis player, the amount of tax revenue that this project would bring would benefit everybody,” he told News 12 on Tuesday.
City Staff Push Back
Despite the potential benefits, city staff members strongly opposed the proposal. A review team made up of the City Administrator’s Office, Parks and Recreation, Housing and Community Development, Planning and Development, and Finance departments submitted a formal recommendation to reject it.
The group worried that using SPLOST 8 funds meant for the Newman Tennis Center would hurt ongoing city plans. “SPLOST 8 funding was already approved by the Augusta voters and the governing body,” the committee wrote. “These funds cannot be reallocated.”
The memo also said the project had too many unknowns. “The project’s viability is further questioned due to unknown projected revenues from sources to include rentals, tournament hosting fees, memberships, pro shop sales, and hotel room rentals,” the committee wrote. Lastly, the proposal puts at risk the future of the Newman Tennis Center due to the request to redirect funding to the new proposed center.
No Vote Yet from City Leaders
Augusta Commissioner Brandon Garrett said it was the first time he had seen city staff ask to turn down an outside proposal like this. But the Augusta Commission did not accept or reject the plan on Tuesday. Instead, they decided that City Administrator Tameka Allen, the finance team, and the interim city attorney would meet with Troy Akers and his legal team.
Akers Stands by the Vision
Troy Akers believes the project will help Augusta grow. “This would bring hundreds of millions of dollars of economic development and investment throughout the course of the life of the project,” he said. “Just in a few years, we can be known for a lot of things. We can be known for golf and tennis, and pickleball.”
Akers said he also wants to help grow kickball in the area. He is also the developer behind the Dink’d indoor pickleball center in Columbia County, but says this Augusta plan is much larger.
He defended the project and the goals behind it. “The goal is not to take away tennis but to grow the sport,” he said.
Still, he warned that the plan cannot move forward without the city’s help. “I believe in Augusta. I believe in this commission. I believe in the mayor. More importantly, I believe in the voters and what they want to bring,” he said.
“The goal of this again is just to bring good things to Augusta, and we’re willing to keep the fight up as long as we can.”
News in Brief: Augusta Pickleball Complex
Investor Troy Akers proposed an $80 million pickleball and tennis center in Augusta, but city staff advised against it. The Augusta Commission hasn’t voted yet and will hold more talks with Akers. The plan could bring hundreds of jobs and a new recreation space if approved.
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