By JAN McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Pickleball paddlers in Bowling Green will soon have to add sunscreen and visors to their equipment lists. Nearly three years after serving up the idea of outdoor pickleball courts in Bowling Green, the persistent players will have outside courts to play on by July.
Bowling Green City Engineer Brad Holman reported Monday that bids had been submitted for the outdoor pickleball courts planned next to the BG Community Center.
“There was a lot of interest in the projects” with five bids coming in, Holman said. The winning bid of $640,000 was submitted by Geddis Paving and Excavation in Toledo.
It was originally believed the project would have to be limited to six courts, rather than the requested eight courts. But Holman announced Monday that the Geddis bid is to build eight courts with lighting.
The pickleball courts, planned on the Haskins Road side of the community center, are expected to be finished by the end of June, with a tentative opening planned near July 4.
In addition to the eight courts, the project also includes lighting, a shelter house, seating and fencing around the entire area, Holman said.
The outdoor courts will allow players to gather anytime during daylight hours in the warmer months.
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.
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.
