Southbury, CT, cut the ribbon last week for the grand opening of its first town-owned pickleball courts. The inauguration took place on Tuesday at Ballantine Park, 611 Old Field Road.
A “Strategic Plan”
First Selectman Jeffrey Manville said, “Part of our strategic plan was to increase recreational opportunities for people in Southbury,” he said. “Pickleball is a growing sport among young and old at every level.”
Manville added that the four pickleball courts cost around $158,000, with the American Rescue Plan Act supporting funding for the development.
He also commented, “This is great for our residents. Pickleball is ageless. From youth to seniors, everyone can now enjoy these courts.”
Parks And Recreation
The Southbury Parks and Recreation Department will operate the new courts following the same rules as the town’s tennis courts, while the Parks and Recreation Department will handle playing time reservations.
Southbury Parks and Recreation Department Director Michael Ganem said, “We anticipate that the pickleball courts will be a great success.”
The project kicked off in November when Southbury Public Works started looking at location possibilities and meeting potential candidates. Preparation began in mid-April, and the courts were ready by mid-June: Oxford-based R.S. Site and Sports designed and installed the courts.
Southbury joins pickleball craze with grand opening of first town-owned courts: pickleball is ageless. “Great for our residents” — Southbury First Selectman Jeffrey Manville https://t.co/p7lscs9aYP #Connecticut #Pickleball #sports
— Dan Nowak (@NHRDanNowak) July 11, 2023
Southbury Public Works Director Blake Leonard said. “It came together quickly and was a team effort.”
Leonard also commented on how it took the combined teamwork of the local Public Works, Parks, and Recreation, the Selectman’s Office, the Finance Department, and the residents of Southbury – whose suggestions got the idea off the ground in the first place – to get the construction of the courts over the line.
Heritage Village
The courts in Southsea aren’t the first pickleball courts the town features, as Heritage Village has its own courts. Something Heritage Village Director of Resident Experience Tracy-Ann Samuel was keen to point out:
“Heritage Village Master Association has actively enjoyed four private pickleball courts for almost four years. It has been a valuable asset to our active adult community. Our pickleball courts foster connections among neighbors and promote a vibrant lifestyle within our community.”
Reservation Instructions
You can book game times here until October 31. Courts are available weekdays only in 90-minute slots between 8 a.m. and 6.30 p.m.
Courts can also be reserved by phone: call the Parks and Recreation office at 203-262-0633 between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m., Mondays through Thursdays, and from 8:30 a.m. to noon Fridays.
You can only reserve one time slot per court per day.
The permit fee for residents and non-residents with court memberships is $2; non-members must reserve courts in person ($3 for Southbury residents; $6 for non-residents.
In other Connecticut pickleball news, you can read about how the opening of Pickleball America, the 27-court development said to be the largest indoor pickleball complex in the U.S., has been delayed.
We first reported this story in an article about how pickleball courts were starting to appear in America’s malls.
