Kenneth City Embraces Pickleball: On August 14, Kenneth City’s Town Council met to explore ways to optimize the use of the town’s pickleball courts, which have become a community hotspot since their May opening. Council member Tony Chan expressed his surprise at the level of excitement and enthusiasm surrounding the sport.
“I wasn’t fully aware how excited and enthusiastic everybody is about pickleball.” – (Chan)
Enhancing Court Usage
Michael Vieno, Kenneth City’s police chief and acting town manager, discussed the logistics of court rentals. “Some cities take the line of charging $200 a day to rent the courts,” Vieno noted, emphasizing the need for a balanced approach.
Vice-mayor Bonnie Noble highlighted the project’s cost-effectiveness, noting, “[It] has really turned into a town square.” She observed that the courts have attracted visitors from within and beyond Kenneth City.
Community Impact
Public comments showed the pickleball courts’ positive impact on community cohesion and health. Resident Cathy O’Dell shared her experience, saying,
“[I] met a lot of people in the town that I never even knew.”
Gulfport resident Robin Shemendera praised the welcoming atmosphere, stating,
“I went to your town, and I had this lady and all these people that said, ‘Come play with me.’”
Annette Clifford summed up the communal spirit, saying,
“I just love what we have here… how we can all kind of play, no matter how old or how young you are, no matter how good you are.”
