BELLVILLE EDC APPROVES GRANT FOR PICKLEBALL COURT

  

The sport of pickleball could soon gain an even stronger foothold in the region.

At a recent meeting, the Bellville Economic Development Corporation board unanimously approved a $42,033 grant to the Bellville Pickleball Club. The club intends to use the grant to refurbish an old tennis court located behind the Bellville ISD Administration Building.

Costs for the project include $23,307 for court resurfacing, including nets and posts; $3,270 for refurbished lights; $5,488 for electrical improvements; $2,600 for fencing around and between the pickleball courts; $1,678 for bleachers; $1,540 for a concrete slab for the bleachers; and $3,800 for money set aside for possible cost increases.

When not in use by the Bellville Pickleball Club, the courts will be open for the general public.

Pickleball is a family-friendly paddle sport that brings together elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong. Two to four players use a wiffle-ball and composite paddles, on a surface half the size of a tennis court with a slightly lower net.

The sport gained traction in Brenham early this year, when the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board approved the conversion of two existing tennis courts at Jackson Street Park into six new pickleball courts.

The grant will still need to be approved by the Bellville City Council, which is scheduled to meet Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. at Bellville City Hall.