Corby Pond Pickleball Complex Plans: The City Council of St. Joseph has approved two major projects: the construction of a new pickleball complex near Corby Pond and a $225,000 donation for continued work on the city’s new animal shelter. The decisions were made during the council meeting held on Monday.
Pickleball Complex Planned Near Corby Pond
A contract with McConnell and Associates was approved to build a new $796,000 pickleball facility at Corby Grove, located on North 22nd Street. The project will be funded through the city’s parks tax and Capital Improvements Program (CIP) funds.
The facility will include eight regulation-size pickleball courts, lights for evening games, seating areas, and limited landscaping to protect the park’s natural setting. New sidewalks will improve access to the site. The new complex will be built where the old Corby tennis courts once stood.
“Pickleball is still growing by leaps and bounds here locally,”
said St. Joseph Parks and Recreation Director Jeff Atkins.
“So we’re anxious to be able to add to the pickleball population here in town and easily by this time next year they should be playing pickleball there.”
According to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association, pickleball has been the fastest-growing sport in the United States for three years in a row. In the past three years, participation has jumped by 223.5%.
Funding Boost for New Animal Shelter
The City Council also approved a $225,000 donation from the Friends of the Animal Shelter. This funding will help support the ongoing construction of the new $5 million shelter located at 3405 South Belt Highway.
The non-profit group has now contributed nearly $2 million toward the shelter, which will be a 13,000-square-foot facility—about 5,000 square feet larger than the current shelter at 701 Southwest Lower Lake Road.
The shelter’s groundbreaking was held in June. Officials said they expect staff to move into the new building by late June 2026.
News in Brief: Corby Pond Pickleball Complex Plans
St. Joseph City Council approved building a $796,000 pickleball complex near Corby Pond and accepted a $225,000 donation toward the city’s new animal shelter. The shelter is set to open in 2026. The pickleball facility will feature eight courts and modern features for public use.
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