Cayce Plans to Open New Pickleball Facility Amid Community Debate

Cayce Welcomes a New Pickleball Facility

Columbia, S.C. – Have you heard the buzz about pickleball? This fun sport, which mixes elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong, is on the rise in America, capturing the hearts of millions. According to the Association of Pickleball Professionals, over 48.3 million people have given this game a shot. In response to its growing popularity, communities across the nation are stepping up with new courts. One of the latest projects is happening in Cayce, where exciting plans are underway for a new pickleball facility.

New Facilities Coming to Cayce

Brian Clary from the Lexington County Recreation and Aging Commission shared some thrilling news about this development. “We’re thrilled to announce that we’ll be opening a 16-court pickleball facility at Henry C. Moore Park, hopefully by the end of this year,” he explained enthusiastically. With these new courts, Cayce is gearing up to host larger pickleball events, including a professional tournament!

Seems too good to be true? Well, it gets better. Clary mentioned that they have signed a letter of intent with the Professional Pickleball Association to hold a challenger-level pro tournament in March. This event is projected to bring about 1,000 visitors to the area and could lead to an economic boost of nearly $3.5 million.

Funding for the New Courts

The investment in this state-of-the-art facility is around $1.3 million, with part of the funding coming from a federal grant. Clary enthusiastically noted the positive impact this mix of sports and community could have, helping to make community life more vibrant and active.

The Mixed Reactions

Not everyone, however, is jumping on the pickleball bandwagon. Local resident John Cherry has voiced his concerns about the funding for the project, describing it as a waste of resources. “It’s a waste of money for them to spend $1.3 million on pickleball when the average person doesn’t know what pickleball is,” he said candidly. Cherry even spoke at a city council meeting expressing his doubts, stating that he still didn’t know what a pickleball is.

He believes that instead of flashy new pickleball courts, the area would benefit more from a community center aimed at keeping youth engaged. “We need a community center for the kids. We have a lot of unnecessary violence occurring because kids have nothing to do in the Cayce/West Columbia area. If we had a community center, I truly believe it could help curtail some of the violence and support several people,” he passionately stated.

Cherry’s Call for Action

Cherry also pointed out that there’s fallow land in the Cayce/West Columbia area that could be perfectly suited for a much-needed community center. He’s committed to advocating for funding, aiming to rally support from both Lexington County and the City of Cayce.

As these plans unfold, it’s clear that Cayce is facing a crossroads—balancing the excitement of sports development while addressing the needs of the community. Will pickleball courts serve to unite residents in fun and fitness, or is Cherry’s vision for a community center the path that will better serve the local youth? Only time will tell.