Ashland Expands Pickleball Access: On Tuesday, the Ashland City Council unanimously approved an ordinance that will allow city officials to proceed with a contract with Vasco Group, a company slated to build the pickleball court at an estimated cost of $300,000. Construction on the project began last month when Vasco laid the initial layer of asphalt at the tennis courts in Brookside West Park.
Financing the Project
Larry Paxton, Ashland’s finance director, explained that Vasco Group is part of Sourcewell, a cooperative purchasing program, which allows the city to bypass the traditional bidding process.
In a show of community support, Ashland Mayor Matt Miller announced that the city had received a significant donation towards the project. On Monday, local philanthropists Lloyd and Norma Wygant generously gifted $189,000 to help fund the pickleball court. Additional funds, including for fencing and lighting, are expected to come from the city’s park budget, according to city officials.
A Generous Contribution to the Community
Mayor Matt Miller, alongside Councilman Dennis Miller, expressed deep appreciation for the Wygants’ ongoing contributions to Ashland.
“It is tremendous when you consider the wide breadth … how many different aspects of the community the Wygants are impacting.” – (Mayor Miller)
The Wygants have made several key donations to Ashland’s infrastructure, including contributions to the Brookside Golf Course pavilion, downtown archway, Keith Wygant Memorial Field House at the high school, and other city projects.
Expanding Pickleball Access Across Ashland
The new pickleball courts at Brookside West Park will be Ashland’s third location for pickleball. The first set of pickleball courts opened at Cahn Grove Park in May 2022, and a second set is available at the city’s YMCA. Ashland residents and visitors will soon have more options to enjoy the rapidly growing sport.
Meanwhile, Loudonville’s pickleball courts, which opened in 2023, have been part of the region’s increasing interest in the sport.
News in Brief : Ashland Expands Pickleball Access
Ashland City Council has approved a contract for a new pickleball court at Brookside West Park, with an estimated cost of $300,000. The project is funded partially by a generous $189,000 donation from local philanthropists Lloyd and Norma Wygant.
The new courts will be Ashland’s third pickleball facility, joining Cahn Grove Park and the YMCA. Construction began in October, with the addition of fencing and lighting to be funded by the city’s park budget.
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