Columbus continues to evolve, with over 200,000 people now calling the Fountain City home. The Uptown and Second Avenue area has seen remarkable development over the years, transforming almost daily.
One of the exciting projects underway aims to revitalize the once-thriving mill district. Soon, Second Avenue will host over ten covered pickleball courts, marking the first dedicated area for this rapidly growing sport.
“Pickleball has been the fastest growing sport pretty much in America, possibly the world, for the past three years,” said Lance Tankersley with the Columbus Pickleball Association. The association is collaborating with the city to establish additional courts on Third Avenue near Mercer University. These courts will be city-owned and operated in partnership with the Columbus Georgia Pickleball Association.
“The benefit of this site is this is still a partnership with the city,” Tankersley explained. “And because we own it, we’re not under the restrictions of having the city schedule build it. So, ultimately, we’re kind of fast-tracking this because we can own it. We’re starting construction hopefully in spring—shovels in the ground in spring and then playing in summer.”
Local resident Kenneth Henson anticipates continued growth in the coming years due to these developments. “I think for years we’ve had a lot of traffic on 2nd Ave. Now we’re starting to see some economic development,” Henson noted. The construction of the pickleball courts will occur in two phases, and residents will have the chance to contribute to their realization. “Phase 1 is our goal; hopefully, it’s going to be 16 covered courts,” Tankersley added. “Now, we still need help in fundraising, so if anybody is out there, there are sponsorship opportunities and naming opportunities.”
These pickleball courts are just one of the many initiatives aimed at enhancing the Columbus mill district. Officials are currently conducting a survey to assess the area’s needs, including plans for a Childhood Education Center for the community.
Source: https://www.wtvm.com/2024/11/13/new-pickleball-courts-set-transform-uptown-columbus/