Pickleball Magazine 2-2 Courtesy of Pickleball Central | Page 16

FROM THE USAPA

A Premier Dedicated 18-Court Pickleball Complex in Spalding County , GA BY PETER PHELPS , PRESIDENT , SPALDING COUNTY PICKLEBALL ASSOCIATION , INC .

In early 2015 , I and other local citizens approached the

Spalding County Board of Commissioners ( BoC ) with a proposal to build an 18-court ( dedicated ) Pickleball Complex in Wyomia Tyus Olympic Park in Spalding County , Georgia . In July 2015 , the Pickleball Complex proposal ( along with approximately 32 other projects ) was approved by the Board of Commissioners to be included in the SPLOST ( Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax ) referendum . On November 3 , 2015 , Spalding County voters approved the 2015 SPLOST . As a result of these approvals , the following facility is now being built : a magnificent facility resulting from the county ’ s impressive investment . Tyus Park is the perfect setting ... it is a beautiful park that has a lake with pavilions , walking trails , nature trails , fishing , disc golf , soccer and baseball / softball fields . A vendor area is also planned . The park is very close to numerous hotels / motels , restaurants and stores . On October 3 , 2016 , the county approved the construction contract . The contract calls for substantial completion by May 15 , 2017 . The county has demonstrated its commitment as follows : an extraordinary pickleball complex design ; 18 dedicated courts ( no contending with portable nets and multiple lines , no converted courts ); walkways all around and through the complex providing great navigation , accessibility and mobility throughout the facility ; a four‐court cover structure ( protection against the weather ), with more cover planned for the future ; a concession stand ; restrooms with changing areas ; picnic and gathering areas ( for resting , eating , and socializing ); abundant seating for spectators and players ; fences in and around all courts ( less distraction and interruption ); parking ; lighting ; additional shade structures ; fountains and bottle fillers ; and overflow parking with shuttle service . The Georgia Department of Economic Development called the Pickleball Complex a “ game changer ” for sports tourism in Griffin-Spalding County . The potential economic impact is substantial for our community . Spalding County ( just 35 miles south of Atlanta ) is a perfect crossroads / central location for the five-state Atlantic-South Region and states beyond . There are abundant hotels , restaurants and stores on U . S . Routes 19 / 41 , and they are very close to the park . We also have a high concentration of pickleball clubs and players in the north-central area of Georgia , so we are confident that the location will lend itself to high participation numbers , whether we are talking local open play , recreational play , wide-reaching league play or tournament play . A non-for-profit organization called the Spalding County Pickleball
The Groundbreaking Ceremony on November 1 , 2016 .
The pictures include Spalding County officials : Commissioners and County Management Staff , as well as Project Engineers and General Contractor Representatives .
Mitch Headly , GC ; Peter Phelps , SCPA President ; County BoC Chair Rita Johnson ; County Manager William Wilson . Also from the SCPA : Sheila Phelps , Carey McRae , Dave Main and Lindsay Lancaster ; County Commissioner Don Hawbaker .
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