GLADSTONE, Mich. (WZMQ) – The construction of eight crowdfunded pickleball courts at the John & Melissa Besse Sports Park is nearing completion.
Last fall, Gladstone Area Pickleball raised $66,101 through its Courts of Dreams campaign and secured a $50,000 Michigan Economic Development Corporation grant. Court construction began in May.
On Monday, crews were hard at work pouring concrete around the designated pickleball courts.
“It provides a four-foot walking area that people can actually view the play being done,” said Gladstone Area Pickleball Treasurer Janet Beauvais. “It also gives us a four-foot area to keep the grass and sand off the actual court surfaces.”
Next, Sealer King will begin coloring and coating the surface of the courts. Then, Delta Fence will install fencing. Once complete, Beauvais says the Courts of Dreams will provide much-needed space for players to enjoy the growing sport.
“We have many people now playing on our old courts in Downtown Gladstone,” she said. “Some days, there are many, many people waiting to play. We have a lot of people that are excited to get on the courts, and hopefully we’ll be playing by early fall.”
While the actual courts are fully funded, Gladstone Area Pickleball is accepting donations for upkeep, benches, equipment, and other amenities. To donate or to learn more about the group and the Courts of Dreams, click here.
For background information on the Courts of Dreams crowdfunding effort, click here.
