Cody Park Pickleball Court Upgrade: North Platte High School tennis and pickleball players got an early look at the rebuilt and expanded courts at Cody Park during a Friday lunchtime ribbon-cutting. Mayor Brandon Kelliher and city officials praised the $1.7 million public-private project that updated the courts for both sports.
“The courts are playable. Isn’t it fantastic?”
Mayor Brandon Kelliher said to about 40 people at the event, as a Bulldog doubles team practiced behind him.
A Long-Awaited Upgrade
The park’s Kirkman Tennis Courts had suffered from cracks for years, a problem highlighted in The Telegraph’s fall 2019 “Flatrock Fix-Its” series. As pickleball grew in popularity, players of both sports joined efforts to rebuild and reorient the eight tennis courts and add 10 new pickleball courts.
The City Council approved $1.42 million in bids on April 16, 2024. Funding came from city keno proceeds, $500,000 in privately raised funds, and a $100,000 grant from Visit North Platte supported by Lincoln County lodging taxes.
Construction and Future Plans
City workers, contractor Beveridge Inc., and Denver’s Renner Sports Surfaces completed the concrete surfaces for basic play last fall. Renner returned this spring to install the final playing surfaces. Parks and Recreation Director Lyle Minshull said some lawn work around the courts remains. City Hall has also applied for a $480,000 Community Development Block Grant to cover 75% of a planned concessions, restroom, and storage building north of the courts.
City Engineer Brent Burklund highlighted the care taken with the underlying soils to prevent future cracking.
“Our goal was to make sure the soil under our feet lasts a lot longer (as it is) than we will,” (Lyle Minshull).
Community and Tourism Benefits
North Platte Tennis Association President Jared Daily thanked members, donors, and North Platte Pickleball for partnering on the project.
“We made this project all one so it would be a better benefit to North Platte. Please make use of these facilities … and please take care of them.”(Jared Daily)
Cassie Condon, vice president of operations and marketing at the North Platte Area Chamber & Development Corp., and Visit North Platte Executive Director Lisa Burke said the new complex will boost tourism.
“We are very thankful for your seeing our vision. It’s one of the best facilities in this region of the United States, not just in Nebraska.”(Lisa Burke)
Condon added,
“This really helps sell North Platte.”
Minshull said the tennis courts will continue to honor the late Jim Kirkman, a two-term 1980s mayor and longtime sports editor for The Telegraph.
News in Brief: Cody Park Pickleball Court Upgrade
North Platte opened rebuilt and expanded tennis and pickleball courts at Cody Park on Friday. Mayor Brandon Kelliher and city officials celebrated the $1.7 million project. The courts feature eight tennis and 10 pickleball courts. Funds came from city, private, and Visit North Platte contributions, boosting sports and tourism in the city.