Playing pickleball under lights always has a certain magic about it, and apart from the thrilling sensation it brings, lighting also has the practical advantage of allowing players unable to play during the daylight hours a chance to hit the courts after dark.
Expensive
It’s expensive, though; our recent article featured information about the latest LED systems, which Sportsvenuecalcualator.com says “costs somewhere between $17,200 and $122,000 depending on the quality of the LED lights.”
Homeguide.com says, “Pickleball court lighting costs $5,000 to $10,000 installed.”, while Pickleballcourtsupply.com quotes $7,012 for a four-fixture LED system covering a single court measuring 64’ x 32’.
Another of our features tells the story of how a farmer from Pennsylvania converted a disused manure tank into a pickleball court, complete with LED lighting.
Edwardsville, Illinois
Diligent Fundraising
However, it’s great to report that two cities are due to receive long-awaited lighting for their courts.
After diligent fundraising efforts and generous donations, Edwardsville, Illinois, pickleball enthusiasts are on the verge of realizing their goal: illuminating the set of 12 pickleball courts at Plummer Family Sports Park.
The city’s Administrative and Community Service (ACS) committee greenlit a resolution in a 2-0 vote for procuring and installing court lighting at the park.
This integral component was omitted from the initial master plan due to fiscal constraints. The budget allocation for this undertaking is capped at $185,870.
One More Game
One More Game (OMG) members pooled a whopping $60,415 for this endeavor.
A further $100,000 has been secured through a grant from the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, a feat attributable to the endeavors of State Representative Katie Stuart, D-Edwardsville.
The city is set to contribute the remaining $25,455 required to bring the project to fruition.
Further Good News For The Park
During the same meeting, council members sanctioned the construction blueprint for the second phase of the Plummer Park development program.
This phase will encompass another dozen pickleball courts, this time equipped with integral lighting.
Bend, Oregon
In Bend, a dedicated group of pickleball enthusiasts is championing the cause and soliciting funding for lights at the west pickleball courts of Pine Nursery.
This past Friday, the group purchased temporary lighting from a hardware store in an attempt to raise awareness and secure commitments for financial support.
The estimated cost for the lighting installation ranged between $50,000 and $70,000.
The Bend Pickleball Club has pledged $30,000, and additional contributions have been promised by Thump Coffee, Tumalo Creek, as well as several other private donors.
Extends Play By Four To Five Hours
Justin Rose, a member of the Bend Pickleball Club and a professional instructor, emphasized that the addition of lights would significantly extend the playing hours, allowing more individuals to utilize and appreciate the courts.
“It extends the hours by four, possibly five hours of extra play to the public, where it’s free,” Rose explained.
“Even though the Bend Pickleball Club donated this money, it is for the public to play, not just club members. So the whole community is able to access free courts.
“Even after work, if you get off work at 6, you can come out here until 10 and have a good time with your family and friends.”
Should the remaining funds be raised expeditiously, the installation of the lights could happen as early as next spring, ensuring readiness for use in the summer.
The group has plans for another fundraising event in the forthcoming weeks.
