PICKLEBALL PLAN: Here’s how 4 courts could be built in Plymouth
- Things To Do
Ed Wright
- 7 minutes read
Pickleball is among the fastest-growing sports in the world.
The Plymouth Arts & Recreation Complex (PARC) will transform an underutilized piece of its campus and create four new dedicated pickleball courts through the anticipated success of a crowdfunding campaign.
The Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and the nonprofit Plymouth PARC Inc. revealed on Wednesday the details regarding the campaign, which is being offered through the Michigan-based crowdfunding platform Patronicity.
If the campaign reaches its crowdfunding goal of $50,000 by January 14, the project will win a matching grant with funds made possible by MEDC’s Public Spaces Community Places program.
For project details and to donate, please visit: patronicity.com/
Intergenerational sport
“Pickleball is a unique, intergenerational sport that improves health and allows for inclusivity and a shared experience in a public space,” said MEDC Regional Prosperity Managing Director Paula Holtz.
“We are pleased to support and provide resources for this project, which offers accessible, low-cost space for public recreation through our Public Spaces Community Places program.”
There are currently no permanent pickleball courts in Plymouth for use by the public. Local pickleball enthusiasts, led by Pete Lamoureux, have partnered with the nonprofit Plymouth Arts & Recreation Complex (PARC) to develop this project to build four dedicated pickleball courts and provide free and low-cost opportunities to learn and play the fastest-growing sport in the country.
The courts will be located on presently unutilized land on PARC’s campus on Theodore Street, adjacent to Miracle League.
PARC will generously provide this property free of charge.
The space will offer pickleball opportunities during a typical week for free drop-in play, affordable and low-cost court reservations, lessons, and league play.
‘Long overdue’
“Plymouth is long overdue for outdoor pickleball courts. So far, we’ve secured a great site and partial funding,” said Mark Malcolm and Pete Lamoureux, who have led the charge.
“Now, thanks to the MEDC’s Public Spaces Community Places grant matching program, if/when the public contributes $50,000 through a crowdfunding program that expires in 60 days (by January 14), four courts can become a reality next spring.”
Public Spaces Community Places is a collaborative effort of the MEDC, the Michigan Municipal League, and Patronicity, in which local residents can use crowdfunding to be part of the development of strategic projects in their communities and be backed with a matching grant from MEDC.
Communities, nonprofits and other business entities can apply at https://patronicity.com/
”The Michigan Municipal League is a strong supporter of placemaking projects happening throughout our state,” said Dan Gilmartin, CEO and Executive Director of the League.
“This pickleball court will improve the human experience of everyone who utilizes it, which is what placemaking is all about.”
The Public Spaces Community Places initiative started in 2014 with MEDC providing matched funding of up to $50,000 for community improvement projects throughout Michigan.
As of Nov. 10, 2023, MEDC has provided more than $12.2 million in matching grants.
Since the launch of the program, 364 projects have been successful in reaching their goal, with nearly $13.9 million raised from 67,868 individual donors.
Communities have a 97 percent success rate in achieving their goals and earning matching funds.
