Community leaders gathered Thursday morning to celebrate the completion of Bristol Pickleball Park just moments before the start of day two of the Professional Pickleball Association’s Bristol Open, a nationally televised tournament expected to bring thousands to the region.
The result of a public/private partnership between the City of Bristol Tennessee and Bristol Sportsplex, the 13-court facility includes areas for free play by the public, courts that can be reserved for a nominal fee, a quad for instruction, and a competition court designed for tournament play. All courts are equipped with lights and nearby restrooms, plus a bar and restaurant that enhance the overall experience.
Sportsplex owners Matt and Hollie Lavinder joined officials from the City of Bristol Tennessee for Thursday’s ceremonial ribbon cutting, noting that the partnership is the result of talks that began nearly three years ago when both entities recognized how a collaborative effort would benefit the entire community. Even before ground was broken last October, the Lavinders shared the news that the facility would be a stop on the 2024 PPA tour, which is underway now through Sunday.
“Pickleball is about more than just courts,” Matt Lavinder said. “It’s a social activity. I think what makes our facility truly special, what makes it a world-class facility, are the indoor amenities that add to the overall experience. Without this public/private partnership, we couldn’t have built a world-class facility that would bring the PPA to Bristol.”
Mike Maines, director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Bristol Tennessee agreed.
“We’re absolutely thrilled that Bristol is sharing the spotlight with cities like St Louis, Salt Lake City, Atlanta, and Dallas, which are also stops on the professional tour,” he said. “Not only will this facility allow our city to enjoy the many economic rewards of hosting tournaments of this magnitude, but it will also provide greater recreational opportunities for members of our community who are interested in learning and playing the world’s fastest growing sport.”
Bristol Pickleball Park was designed by Lose Design of Knoxville with construction by BurWil Construction of Bristol. Sportsplex will oversee scheduling of the facility.
Source: https://www.bristoltn.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=966