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Pickleball may be gaining a more permanent presence in the Rockbridge area.
With the popularity of the sport continuing to soar locally and nationally, area government officials are seeking state financial assistance for the development of dedicated outdoor pickleball courts for the public.
Del. Ellen Campbell has introduced a budget amendment in the General Assembly that would provide $158,457 in the first year of the upcoming biennium and $238,851 in the second year to develop 10 pickleball courts in the Rockbridge area.
Two locations are being eyed for the courts, one in Buena Vista and one in Rockbridge County. The site being considered in Buena Vista is at the old Secrist Field off of 10th Street, between the floodwall and Camden Field. Several sites are being considered in the county, one of which is the old tennis courts at the former Rockbridge High School, now Rivermont School.
Chad Coffey, executive director of the Rockbridge Area Recreation Organization, said he’s been working with Rockbridge County, Buena Vista and Lexington administrators to plan for pickleball facilities and seek funding. The local government officials have been in contact with Campbell, who agreed to introduce the budget amendment. Also in on the discussions have been representatives of the Rockbridge Pickleball Club, which rents space in the former Natural Bridge High School gymnasium to play its games.
RARO has been offering pickleball for adults the past two years in gymnasiums at Rivermont School and Maury River Middle School. Dozens of participants have been playing twice a week in the RARO program, alternating between the two schools. MRMS, however, is unavailable to the program during the winter months because the gym is needed for basketball programs.
The only outdoor pickleball courts in the area currently are found on the Brewbaker Field basketball court next to Kids Playce playground in Lexington. Two roll-away nets are available for play there by anyone in the community, with users, of course, sharing the court with those wishing to play basketball.
Buena Vista has plans to introduce pickleball courts to Glen Maury Park when the tennis courts are resurfaced this spring.
