Columbus Pickleball Facility Moves to New Location: The development of Columbus’ first public facility dedicated to pickleball, the fastest-growing sport in the United States, has encountered a change in plans. Originally intended for the Uptown Water Resources Facility park, located at 1820 Third Ave. and owned by the Columbus Water Works, complications have forced a move to a different site.
These delays, described by Columbus Pickleball Association (CPA) President Lance Tankersley as “a lot of red tape,” led to the search for a more viable location. Now, the CPA has secured a new downtown property.
New Location, New Possibilities
For $625,000, the CPA has purchased a 1.98-acre lot at 1641 Third Ave. from Mike Gill. The property, currently home to a four-story warehouse, will serve as the new site for the pickleball facility.
This change of venue provides a fresh opportunity for CPA to fulfill its vision of creating a hub for the community’s growing interest in pickleball. With plans to build 28 outdoor courts, the project will also include four courts under the Second Avenue overpass, contingent on approval from the Georgia Department of Transportation.
Phased Development Begins in the Spring
Construction is expected to break ground in the spring, with phase one slated for completion by the end of summer. The first phase will include the creation of 16 covered outdoor courts, though this number may shift depending on the progress of the design phase and available funding.
“But this may change as we get deeper into the design phase of the master plan in the coming weeks. The master plan will eventually lead to construction documents and then to an accurate actual cost. At that time, we will be able to determine how many courts we can build in phase one with the funding we will have at that time.” – (Tankersley)
Funding and Community Support
With phase one estimated at a cost of $3 million, CPA has already raised about $2.9 million from private donors and a $1.7 million allocation approved by the Columbus City Council in June 2023. Tankersley emphasized the importance of this financial backing, acknowledging the ongoing support from the community: “It’s been fantastic,” he said.
The facility will also feature lighting for night matches and fencing to ensure safety. Plans include temporary structures like converted shipping containers to house a check-in area and bathrooms. Additional amenities may include another container designed to serve refreshments such as smoothies and sandwiches.
News in Brief: Columbus Pickleball Facility Moves to New Location
The Columbus Pickleball Association has changed the location for its first public pickleball facility, purchasing a 1.98-acre site at 1641 Third Ave. for $625,000. The new site will feature 28 outdoor pickleball courts, with construction beginning in the spring.
Phase one is expected to cost $3 million, with about $2.9 million already raised. The facility will include covered courts, lighting, and safety features, with additional amenities like food services planned.
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