Pickleball Complex in Augusta: Augusta leaders are still considering a large tennis and pickleball complex that could bring 66 courts and a hotel to the city. The $80 million plan by Doctor Troy Akers is still alive after the Augusta Commission chose not to reject it and instead called for more talks with his team.
A Major Sports Proposal
Doctor Troy Akers first shared his plan in February 2025. The idea includes building a hotel along with tennis and pickleball courts. He has asked the city to contribute almost $7 million to help fund the project.
“The request is for just short of $7 million dollars, that’s less than a tenth of what the whole project would cost”-(Doctor Troy Akers)
Mayor Pro-Tem Wayne Guilfoyle said the project would not put a burden on taxpayers.
“This is an opportunity right here to actually have a 66 court pickleball and tennis. It will be bonded so the taxpayers will be protected.”-(Wayne Guilfoyle)
Concerns Over City Funding
Some commissioners were concerned about where the funding would come from. Doctor Troy Akers had suggested using sales tax funds that were approved for the Newman Tennis Center. But this idea caused debate.
“It’s not fair to take those funds, that would be the case, and put those funds to this. No, we got to keep Newman in the game.”-(Commissioner Catherine Smith Rice)
A committee looking at the request had recommended rejecting the plan. They argued that the sales tax money was meant only for the Newman Tennis Center.
“We can’t touch the Newman Tennis Center money, that’s set aside for the Newman Tennis Center. What we’re going to do is try and recapture some old SPLOST money ”-(Wayne Guilfoyle)
Talks to Move Forward
Instead of turning down the project, commissioners voted to allow further discussions. They want Doctor Troy Akers and his team to meet with city officials to explore other funding options.
“We need them as a partner, not only financially, but they need to have some skin in the game. This is going to benefit all Richmond County residents, not just select few, so we’ll see. I’m optimistic, but if it doesn’t work out, it doesn’t work out.”-(said Doctor Troy Akers)
A Possible Sports Hub for Augusta
If the plan moves ahead, Augusta could become a major location for both pickleball and tennis in the region. Leaders hope that the talks will lead to an agreement that supports growth, recreation, and community engagement without taking away from existing city plans.
News in Brief: Pickleball Complex in Augusta
Augusta officials are still considering Doctor Troy Akers’ $80 million plan to build a hotel with 66 tennis and pickleball courts. Although there are concerns about using Newman Tennis Center funds, commissioners chose to keep talks open with Akers’ team instead of rejecting the proposal outright.
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