The college is currently inviting contributions to upgrade eight courts and add four more to its campus on North Avenue.
To Meet Rising Demand
To meet rising demand, the pickleball complex at Kellogg Community College (KCC) will expand to become the largest outdoor destination for the sport in the greater Battle Creek area. The improvement and new construction project also involves enabling future tournaments to be held on the site and will cost in the region of $160,000.
The Battle Creek Enquirer reports that construction starts later this month, with completion in October. At least eight courts will stay open during the process.
The campaign aims to raise $50,000 by early October to fund the pickleball complex expansion.
“Tremendous Growth”
Linda Freybler, CEO of the Calhoun County Visitors Bureau, announced in a press release, “We have seen tremendous growth in pickleball throughout the county, and the Battle Creek Pickleball and Cereal City Pickleball clubs have been great advocates for the improvements.
“They brought the idea to the CCVB and KCC, educated us on pickleball, and even invited us to play – and now I’m hooked on the sport!
“The CCVB Board recognizes the importance of this project and wanted to financially support it in partnership with KCC and the clubs.
“The new courts will benefit local people and also help us bring tournaments to Battle Creek.”
First-Come, First-Served Basis
Earlier this year, the KCC Board of Trustees greenlit plans to expand the pickleball complex. Following USA Pickleball standards, KCC partnered with local firm Schweitzer Inc. to design the 12 courts for tournament capabilities. The finished courts will stay open on a first-come, first-served basis except when reserved for college events and tournaments.
“The KCC Pickleball Complex will soon feature 12 courts for recreational and tournament play while serving as the largest outdoor pickleball destination in the Battle Creek area.”#BattleCreek #Pickleball #ExperienceKCChttps://t.co/zNRp5VRXSO
— Kellogg Community College (@Kellogg_CC) August 16, 2023
The same release featured Eric Greene, KCC Vice President for Communications and Advancement, who announced, “Pickleball is one of the most popular and fastest-growing sports in the United States, and we are thrilled that so many people in our community want to play on the beautiful campus of KCC.
“The college has partnered with local pickleball clubs and the Calhoun County Visitors Bureau to develop this project, and we are all hoping additional individuals, businesses, and organizations will donate toward the cost of this community-inspired effort.”
“In the past several years, we at KCC have observed a steady increase in the number of recreational pickleball players who use the existing courts.
“It is common to see 40 to 60 players using the courts daily in the spring, summer, and fall.”
Vital Upgrades
Donations will support essential upgrades like:
- Transforming two tennis courts into four new pickleball courts
- Resurfacing eight current courts
- Adding windscreens for ideal playing conditions
- Providing benches for resting between games
- Installing new nets, dividers, and gates for easier court access
Donations may be made at kellogg.edu/pickleball. You can also pay in cash or by check at Kellogg Community College, c/o Pickleball Project Fund, 450 North Avenue, Battle Creek, MI 49017.
The Battle Creek Enquirer also reports that gifts of $100 or over qualify you for these gestures of appreciation:
- Level 1 ($100 or more): A KCC-branded souvenir
- Level 2 ($250 or more): Level 1, plus a one-hour pickleball lesson from a local player
- Level 3 ($500 or more): Level 2, plus lunch on the KCC campus and a $50 gift certificate for a KCC Lifelong Learning class
- Level 4 ($750 or more): Level 3, plus a vinyl banner advertisement on the KCC pickleball fence for two seven-month seasons
- Level 5 ($1,500 or more): Level 4, plus a commemorative plaque on one of 12 benches located on the pickleball courts
If you have any queries about the project, donations, and sponsorships, please email Eric Greene at [email protected].
Click here for more of our articles about pickleball in Michigan.
