LAKEVIEW, OH (WLIO) - The vision of a pair of local residents leading to a brand new recreational opportunity for Indian Lake residents - and visitors alike. A grand opening Friday morning for a new pickleball court complex located at the Ohio Department of Natural Resources' Old Filed Beach.
The project has been a long time in the making, backed in part by the Indian Lake Development Corporation, with funds being donated by multiple private donors, as well as the Logan County Commissioners and the state. Organizers say the courts offer a fun activity for locals and will also benefit the local economy.
“We knew that this would be an economic development opportunity for our community. Sure, we wanted a place for people in our community who play pickleball to come, but we knew that people from outside of our area would come to play pickleball, and they would come and spend their money here. If you're really into pickleball, you will you want to play in unique destinations, and this is a very unique pickleball destination with this beautiful lake view right here at the courts,” says Laura Kunkle, Pickleball Organizer
Organizers hope that a couple of yearly tournaments at the courts, as well as continued donations, will generate money to maintain the facility.
“Next year, we'll probably have two tournaments, and that will not only engage community and other players to come see our place, but it'll also help our funds and get everything that's how we're going to kind of maintain a slush fund to take care of these courts,” says Robin Francisco, Pickleball Organizer.
The complex features 6 individual Pickleball courts, plus plenty of shared parking with the beach and dog park.
