The first outdoor pickleball courts in the county will be constructed in Bedford

Bedford, Virginia – Bedford County pickleball fans may soon have access to an outdoor area where they may play the paddle sport. In a unanimous vote, the County Board of Supervisors approved advertising bids for the building of new courts.

Chris Higgins, the director of parks and recreation for Bedford County, stated, “We’re always looking for future enhancements.” “The needs of the community change with the times.”

People of all ages are playing pickleball, and Bedford County is keeping up with the growing popularity of this sport. At the Rec Field Complex on Bedford Avenue, which presently has basketball and tennis courts, the county intends to construct its first outdoor pickleball courts.

Because of the duplication of service, I believe it is currently underutilized. The town’s Liberty Lake Park features some excellent tennis courts. They’re in a great place for it. Therefore, we believe that the conversion and the addition of courts will allow people to play whenever and however they like. At the county gym, we currently have pickleball open gym periods,” Higgins stated.

The Rec Field Complex’s outdated courts will be replaced by six pickleball courts, a brand-new basketball court, fencing, possibly sports lights, and modernized surfacing as part of the project.

“This is where the basketball courts are currently located. They will be taken out and moved to this area with a tennis court that will be transformed into a basketball court. Six pickleball courts will also be added in this manner, Higgins stated.

The county is requesting bids for the construction of the renovated building, which has a $300,000 budget.

“Closing asphalt plants is one of the major issues with a project like this. We’ll be resurfacing the courts and taking them all up. Therefore, the project probably won’t begin until the plants reopen in the spring, Higgins said.

In contrast to the existing timetable, which is four days a week at the county gym, Higgins stated that the courts will be open seven days a week once they are finished.