By JAN McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Two years after local pickleball players made their first pitch for outdoor pickleball courts in Bowling Green, it appears they have scored a victory.
Monday evening, Bowling Green City Council heard the first reading of an ordinance authorizing the municipal administrator to seek qualifications, advertise for bids, and enter into contracts for design, engineering, property acquisition and construction of courts outside the BG Community Center.
The project will cover six pickleball courts on the Haskins Road side of the community center. Included will be fencing, lighting, spectator seating, a drinking fountain and various site improvements.
The project has been championed by the BG Parks and Recreation Foundation and a dedicated group of local pickleball enthusiasts, who have raised more than $100,000 for the courts. Detailed design of the project will occur this year, with construction anticipated in 2025.
Currently Bowling Green residents travel to Perrysburg, Holland and Findlay if they want to play on outdoor pickleball courts. The only courts in Bowling Green currently are inside the community center, in space that has to be shared with many other purposes – youth sports, fitness classes and National Guard activities.
So in 2022, the local pickleball players served up a proposal for outdoor pickleball courts in Bowling Green. The city started the ball rolling with $150,000 in ARPA funding.
Four pickleball courts can fit on one tennis court. The games are shorter, averaging 10 to 15 minutes each. The players cover less space, don’t have to be in great shape to play, and don’t have to be super skilled to enjoy the game.
Thirty to 40 people show up every weekday from 8 to 11 a.m., to play on the indoor community center courts. People don’t need to register – just show up. Beginners are welcome.
The outdoor courts would allow players to gather anytime during daylight hours in the warmer months.
Also at Monday’s meeting, City Council adopted a resolution authorizing a partnership agreement between Bowling Green and Wood County for the 2024 Community Housing Impact and Preservation funds from the Ohio Department of Development.
This continuing partnership will allow Bowling Green residents to use CHIP, lead abatement and additional Community Development Block Grants for the funding of home repairs. The partnership enables an additional $350,000 to be used in BG and throughout the county.
