Ronald Foxworthy Campus Pickleball Expansion: Sarasota County Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Monday for new pickleball courts at the Ronald Foxworthy Campus. The project added three brand-new courts and renovated six existing ones, giving the county nine upgraded courts with new nets, fencing, lights, shaded areas, and a restroom building.
Details of the Renovation
The renovations were part of Sarasota County’s pickleball master plan, which began in 2017. The total cost for the new courts and upgrades was $2,925,452. Over the past three years, the county has opened several courts dedicated solely to pickleball instead of shared tennis-pickleball courts. The plan will eventually create 90 dedicated pickleball courts across the county.
Community Benefits and Comments
Lisa Rysdyk, a first-time pickleball player, said, “I think it’s wonderful, and it brings a lot of people together to play sports. I don’t want to say it, but when we get a little older, we have something to keep us young and keep us healthy.”
The park was named after Ronald Foxworthy, who wanted recreational sports to be accessible to everyone, including people with special needs and older adults.
Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony
Nicole Rissler, the Director of Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources for Sarasota County, led the ribbon-cutting ceremony and thanked the community. She said, “Their taxpayer dollars make these kind of projects happen and we have been so blessed over the course of the last five to seven years of the wonderful amazing upgrades and improvements and new parks that we have put in our system, and so I hope that they take the opportunity to get out and enjoy not only our active recreation parks but also our 55,000 acres of natural areas as well.”
Significance of the Project
The new courts are expected to bring more people together and provide healthy recreational options for residents of all ages. The upgrades reflect Sarasota County’s commitment to expanding pickleball facilities and enhancing community parks for years to come.
News in Brief: Ronald Foxworthy Campus Pickleball Expansion
Sarasota County opened three new pickleball courts and renovated six others at the Ronald Foxworthy Campus. The $2.9 million project is part of a master plan started in 2017 to build 90 dedicated courts countywide. Residents now have more options for healthy recreation and community gatherings.
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