By TONY GUERRERO
Hays Post
The Victoria Recreation Commission is betting on recreation to help grow the city, starting with a pickleball court.
Victoria Recreation Commission Board President Sean Rodger said discussions about building a court grew out of the sport’s rising popularity.
"It is literally the hottest sport in America right now. They're building courts everywhere," Rodger said.
The commission announced on Facebook, in partnership with USD 432, construction of a court by Mid-American Courtworks of Wichita is expected to begin this summer.
Rodger said the court’s location is still being discussed, but one area under heavy consideration is next to Victoria Elementary School, near the tennis, basketball and volleyball courts.
"I'd like to tie all that together with a pickleball court and have a really nice facility for more recreational opportunities for our community in one spot," he said.
Rodger said the court will be designed to minimize cracking and increase durability, with construction expected to begin about June. A completion date has not yet been set.
In addition, the commission is undertaking a secondary project to resurface and repaint the outdoor basketball court near the elementary school. This includes painting lines consistent with indoor court standards.
The pickleball court project received a $3,000 grant from the Heartland Community Foundation. Rodger said he is pursuing additional grants to fund a second court.
"I definitely have some opportunities to, hopefully, get a little more funding. Maybe instead of one, we can, hopefully, get two. It'd be awesome," he said.
Rodger said he hopes to add fencing and lighting to the courts, along with a maroon-and-gold color scheme to match Victoria High School's colors.
Rodger said Victoria has shown interest in pickleball through temporary gym setups and community play nights, which drew strong participation.
He said his long-term vision is to host pickleball events and tournaments, and eventually to develop a community recreation facility.
"I'm looking to grow the town through a different way, and that's through recreation," Rodger said. "It's a sport that's attractive to such a wide range of people. I also hope to jump-start many other projects as well."
You can follow the recreation commission on Facebook.