Excitement over Kiwanis Park’s first-ever pickleball courts is building, but unexpected delays have pushed the project’s completion to early spring.
In May 2024, the City of Battle Ground awarded a $1.2 million contract to Tikka Masonry for improvements to Kiwanis Park using a combination of parks and general funds. Located at 422 SW Second Ave., the park is a central hub for the community. City officials kicked off the project with a groundbreaking ceremony on July 15 last year.
The planned improvements include the addition of six new pickleball courts in the park’s southeast corner, replacing two basketball courts. A new basketball court will also be constructed on the park’s north side, adjacent to the Kiwanis building. The project also covers the installation of a new picnic shelter at McConnell Park, located near Kiwanis Park.
Kiwanis Park’s pickleball courts are the first in Battle Ground’s history, an exciting milestone for local residents. Communications Manager Alisha Smith highlighted the growing demand for pickleball, noting that the sport is one of the fastest-growing in the country. These courts will feature a cover for year-round play and a sound barrier between the playing area and nearby homes to the south.
“Being able to keep up with the interests of our community and fulfilling that goal is kind of where the minds came together to dream up what might be useful and desirable for our residents,” Smith said.
Originally slated for completion in late 2024, the project has faced some delays. Engineering technician Chris Meyer explained that a review of structural plans for the court covers revealed issues with the initial calculations, necessitating revisions to meet safety standards and building codes. These adjustments ensure that the structures can withstand environmental factors such as earthquakes and heavy snow.
The project is now approximately 65% complete, and city officials aim to finish the improvements by early spring 2025, barring any further setbacks. Meyer mentioned the strong interest from the community in the project, noting that people frequently ask about the courts at events and even council meetings.
“There’s a lot of excitement … a lot of interest,” Meyer said. “I feel like when we do different meet-and-greets in the community, people even just coming to council meetings, I’ve had people stop and say, ‘Hey, when are we gonna get to play pickleball in Kiwanis Park?’ So I think there’s more folks that are eager to get out there and start playing. That’s the bulk of the feedback at least we’ve heard.”
The city will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony once the project is complete, inviting residents to celebrate the long-awaited improvements. For updates on the project’s progress, residents can visit cityofbg.org/1016/Kiwanis-McConnell-Park-Improvements.