Alpena’s Pickleball Future Shines: On November 20, Alpena Alcona Area Credit Union (AAACU) made a generous $10,000 donation to the Friends of Alpena Courts (FAC) in support of the Bay View Park pickleball courts reconstruction project. This donation highlights the growing enthusiasm for pickleball in the Alpena area and the ongoing efforts to provide top-tier facilities for the sport.
The Growth of Pickleball in Alpena
The Friends of Alpena Courts, a non-profit organization that has been active for nearly eight years, has been a driving force behind the expansion of pickleball opportunities in the region.
Originally known as the Friends of the APlex Courts, the group rebranded this year to reflect a broader mission that now includes tennis and basketball, alongside pickleball. The group has played a crucial role in transforming Alpena into a hub for pickleball players.
FAC’s most notable achievement to date is the conversion of the underutilized tennis courts at McRae Park into six dedicated pickleball courts. This successful project, completed in collaboration with the City of Alpena, helped meet the growing demand for pickleball spaces in the area. The pickleball community’s direct financial contributions, combined with city and local grant support, made this project a reality.
“The FAC takes great pleasure and pride in seeing how the McRae Park Pickleball Complex has become such a valuable asset to the community,” reads a statement from the group, emphasizing the profound impact the project has had on local pickleball enthusiasts.
Bay View Park: A New Era for Pickleball
Building on the success of the McRae Park project, FAC is now turning its attention to the Bay View Park courts. The existing courts at Bay View are in dire need of repair, and the FAC aims to replace them with state-of-the-art pickleball, tennis, and basketball courts, complete with LED lighting.
“The FAC is championing the project that would demolish the existing courts and build a new sports complex with state-of-the-art tennis and basketball courts. Additionally, pickleball courts (the fastest growing sport in the U.S.) will be a component of the new complex.” – (statement)
While the entire project will enhance multiple sports facilities, the addition of modern pickleball courts is a central focus, given the sport’s rapid growth across the country.
A $336,000 Vision for the Future
The total cost of the Bay View Park project is estimated at $336,244, with funding already in place through a combination of grants and local support. The FAC has secured a $100,000 Youth and Recreation grant from Alpena County, as well as a $25,000 Besser Foundation grant.
The City of Alpena will also assist by demolishing the existing courts and providing the LED lights for the new complex. If all goes as planned, construction could begin in late spring or early summer of 2025, bringing new opportunities for local pickleball players and enhancing the recreational landscape of Alpena.
News in Brief: Alpena’s Pickleball Future Shines
Alpena Alcona Area Credit Union donated $10,000 to the Friends of Alpena Courts to help fund the Bay View Park pickleball courts reconstruction. The project will replace outdated courts with modern facilities for pickleball, tennis, and basketball. With a total cost of $336,244, funding includes grants from Alpena County and the Besser Foundation. Construction is expected to begin in 2025.
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