A local organization is aiming to gather support to further enhance the construction of new tennis courts north of Caldwell Park in Pella.
Lindsy Brandt with the Pella Tennis Association says they are seeking pledges to convert some of the new courts coming this summer into a facility that could also operate indoors; it’s what they are calling the “Indoor Racket Project.”
Brandt says their association has over 180 participants, the high school programs at both Pella and Pella Christian Schools have high participation numbers and a lot of consistent success, and the sport of pickleball remains extremely popular. She says an indoor facility can provide year-round youth programming and training opportunities for both adults and kids and additional space for pickleball play during the day hours.
In order to proceed by June 1st, $220,000 must be donated when construction of the outdoor courts begins as part of the school’s bond issue. Brandt says this separate funding will pay for the footings and underground support needed for a structure to be built over two courts. The rest of the donations ($1.5 million) can be pledged, but construction will not begin on the indoor structure until all money is raised.