Albany, Dougherty County officials look to make progress on joint racket sports venue

ALBANY — After several years that have seen the ball bounce from location to location as the city of Albany and Dougherty County governments attempted to find a location for a tennis and pickleball venue, officials hope to get back on serve in February.

The Albany State University West Campus has been identified as the preferred site, but there is still work to be done before that can become a reality.

On Feb. 5, the Dougherty County Commission’s Recreation Committee will discuss the issue with other stakeholders who are part of the equation.

The county and city have about $2.5 million combined to spend on a tennis/pickleball facility. The city also plans to manage the facility as part of its Recreation and Parks Department activities.

But after several years of discussions, the facility does not seem to be any closer to fruition. Several sites have been identified as potential locations for the facilities, including Tift Park and county land at the former National Guard Armory building. But none has been selected.

Dougherty County Commission Recreation Committee Chairman Victor Edwards said he hopes the February meeting will get the project on track. After all the time and effort put into the effort, he said he is ready to finalize plans.

“I’m ready to get it done so we can move on to something else,” Edwards said. “I think we’ll be able to flush these things out and come out with a better plan in 2024.”

Currently, Albany State is the first choice, and if that is not possible, Edwards said he would prefer the former armory site.

Other considerations are that the county’s sales tax money is earmarked for tennis facilities, not pickleball.

The community also has a long way to catch up with the enthusiasm of Macon, where 71 courts, including a new 16-court indoor facility, have been built to cater to the community’s enthusiasm for the sport, Edwards said.

When he has been to the recreation department’s Sunday pickleball events, he said, there has not been a large crowd gathered to play.

“I enjoyed it,” he said. “It seems like there are more rules than there are for tennis.”

The school system and area organizations may be needed to promote the sport, which has been the fastest-growing in the nation for a few years, locally.

Albany Recreation and Parks is looking to expand recreational opportunities through pickleball, department Director Steven Belk said.

“My role is to provide programs and activities to the community,” he said. “Pickleball is one of these programs we are trying to bring to the community. All the players who are involved definitely are dedicated to making it happen.”

Staff Photo: Alan MauldinAlanMauldin[email protected]