One of White County’s most popular recreation activities Pickleball, has received a boost from the White County Board of Commissioners. During a called meeting Tuesday, the board approved a contract with Kelly Crane Services, Inc. of Cleveland to install LED lighting for the six outdoor pickleball courts at White County Park.
White County Parks and Recreation Director Kimberly McEntire says with the lighting, “We are able to extend the hours of play for pickleball players. We’re able to, eventually, host tournaments and raise money for the parks and recreation, so, we are so really thankful for the commissioners for approving [this].”
Laurie Lee is the White County Ambassador for the USA Pickleball Association. She spearheaded efforts to establish the sport in White County. Lee says the local pickleball players helped raise funds to build the current courts.
“They’ve gotten reimbursed all the money they spent for building the courts. Future tournaments will stay with the rec department and all we ask is that they resurface the courts every 5 years, or seven years or so. The rest of it, hopefully, can support other activities at the parks and rec, which is kinda unheard of,” Lee said.
The $52,736 lighting project will be funded through White County’s Hotel-Motel tax revenue. It will probably be after the first of next year before the lights can be installed and in use.
