City of Huntsville, AL
08/22/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 08/22/2024 18:28
Game on! New John Hunt Park Recreation Center to include 25 pickleball courts
Published on August 22, 2024
The new state-of-the-art John Hunt Park Recreation Center will bring new recreational opportunities to the City's largest park and should illicit cheers from Huntsville's growing pickleball community.
The $18.5 million project calls for 25 lighted exterior pickleball courts that will also be covered by an engineered metal structure to ensure fewer rainouts.
City Council authorized Mayor Tommy Battle to enter into a construction agreement with Fite Building Company for the project, and construction should start in fall 2024. It will be located just north of Joe Davis Stadium on about 8.5 acres.
When we started planning for the new recreation center, we knew that pickleball had to be a central feature. We wanted to ensure we provided top-notch facilities for this rapidly growing sport, and we're confident this design will make our pickleball community very happy. - Mayor Tommy Battle
The one-story, 60,580-square-foot recreation center will feature four full-sized gymnasiums with four regulation-size basketball courts, which can be striped to accommodate eight regulation-size volleyball courts. A concession area and restrooms will link the gyms to the main building, which will include a fitness room, two multi-purpose activity rooms, office space and more. The facility will also include a new parking lot with 298 parking spaces.
The agreement also covers sitework, including parking, landscaping and streetscape improvements to Don Mincher Drive. The new center was designed by William M. Boehme & Associates.
The construction contract is for 420 days. The agreement stipulates work will begin with 10 calendar days of issuance of notice to proceed.