Installation of permanent pickleball courts approved for Salina's Oakdale Park

Charles Rankin, Salina Journal
·2 min read

One of the fastest-growing sports in the world has already made its way to Salina, but players here will now have a permanent outdoor place after pickleball court overlays are coming to Oakdale Park.

The move comes after approval by the Salina City Commission to award a bid for the project in the amount of $444,762 and approval to accept donated funds to pay for it.

Parks and Recreation Director Jeff Hammond said pickleball has already been happening on the south courts in Oakdale Park, with temporary nets placed and lines painted for that use, but a more permanent option was wanted.

A pickleball paddle and ball sit on a court during the Minto US Open Pickleball Championships in April 2023. The sport is growing fast, with permanent courts being approved to be built at Salina's Oakdale Park.
A pickleball paddle and ball sit on a court during the Minto US Open Pickleball Championships in April 2023. The sport is growing fast, with permanent courts being approved to be built at Salina's Oakdale Park.

"Staff were approached by representatives of a donor group expressing a desire to fully fund pickleball courts at Oakdale Park," Hammond said.

After staff looked at options and the scope of work to complete such a project, and sought quotes to overlay the new courts on top of the existing slab that the south tennis courts occupy.

"(It would) also provide new pickleball net posts, new nets, new court fencing and new perimeter fencing," Hammond said.

All the commissioners were in favor of having this project completed, with both Commissioner Karl Ryan and Bill Longbine expressing that the growth of the sport warrants the need for the courts.

"It's a great sport (that I play) and it's growing fast," Ryan said. "I think there will be a lot of people that appreciated this new facility."

The commissioners voted 4-0 in favor of awarding the bid and said they were thankful to the donors, who at this time are anonymous, for their generous gift to the community.

"This is completely private(ly funded) and we do greatly appreciate this," said Mayor Mike Hoppock.

With the approval, Hammond said the courts should be ready for play by the end of the year.

"Our tentative timeline would be to start construction in August and be completed by December," Hammond said.

Other commission business

The commission also acknowledged or approved the following during its June 12 meeting:

  • Proclamations were read recognizing the month of June as Elder Abuse Awareness Month and Pride Month, recognizing June 17 as Relay for Life Day and June 19 as Juneteenth in the City of Salina.

  • Approved ordinance on second reading in regards to Industrial Revenue Bonds for the Great Plains Project.

  • Approved an editorial change to the Smoky Hill Museum's collections management policy.

  • Award bid to TRR Inc. doing business as T&R Construction for water, sanitary sewer, street and drainage improvements in the Cedar Point Addition for just over $1 million.

  • Approve a resolution declaring a structure at 901 N. Seventh St. as unsafe and dangerous and establishing a deadline for the removal of it.

This article originally appeared on Salina Journal: Salina's Oakdale Park to see permanent pickleball courts installed