At its Oct. 13 meeting, Columbus City Council voted to add $1.7 million to an existing $7.1 million allocation for a new pickleball facility, bringing total city funding to $8.8 million. The project’s overall construction cost is projected at $9.1 million, which includes approximately $300,000 from the Columbus Pickleball Association, according to Director of Codes and Inspections Ryan Pruitt (WTVM).
The facility is slated for a site on Third Avenue in the Uptown district. While council members presented the funding as a step toward expanding recreational options, several residents voiced strong opposition. Columbus taxpayer Justin Allen told WTVM, “I think pickleball is just going to be another fad that ends up looking dilapidated or worn down. Here today, gone tomorrow. Ain’t nobody playing pickleball.” Allen added that the $8.8 million spend appears to favor Uptown at the expense of other neighborhoods, noting recent investments such as the new baseball stadium and ongoing discussions about South Commons and the A.J. McClung Memorial Stadium.
Concerns about the stadium’s upkeep surfaced as the city prepares for the 2026 Fountain City Classic Parade. Parks and Recreation Director Holli Browder said the next steps for A.J. McClung Memorial Stadium are being discussed with stakeholders, though no specific timeline was provided.
In addition to the pickleball funding, council approved five zoning changes affecting areas along Macon Road, Steam Mill Road and Hunt Avenue. The meeting also saw Councilwoman Charmaine Crabb move to grant each assistant city manager a $25,000 raise for serving while the city manager position remained vacant, a motion that passed unanimously.
The council’s decisions move the pickleball project forward, but the debate over spending priorities highlights a divide between city leadership’s development agenda and residents who feel other parts of Columbus need attention.
Sources: wtvm.com
