Pickleball courts added to Ridgeland Tennis Center
Tennis Center upgrades include LED lighting
RIDGELAND — Upgrades have been made to the Ridgeland Tennis Center that include improved lighting and more pickleball courts.
The tennis center was already popular, according to Ridgeland Parks and Recreation Director John Sidney North.
“It stays packed year-round if the weather is nice,” North said. North said uses include tennis lessons, camps, leisure play, league play and tournaments.
He said the recent uptick in interest in pickleball has contributed to the use of the center.
“That sport is growing so fast,” North said. “We have seen a drastic increase in the number of people who want to get out and try a new sport or a new way to exercise. People like it because it is very fun and easy to play.”
The center has 15 courts, and to accommodate the recent trend, two of those have been converted into pickleball courts “to meet growing demand.”
The Ridgeland Tennis Center is located at 201 McClellan Drive in Ridgeland.
Kim Cooper, a spokesman for the city, said the center is “one of Mississippi’s largest public tennis facilities.”
“The City of Ridgeland is excited to announce the completion of several upgrades at the Ridgeland Tennis Center,” Cooper said. “These updates highlight our commitment to providing top-notch facilities for our community and ensuring the Ridgeland Tennis Center remains a destination for tennis and pickleball enthusiasts.”
Most recently, the city completed a resurfacing project of six of their courts in February.
“The resurfacing work will significantly enhance the playing experience by providing improved court conditions,” Cooper said.
The total cost of the project was $44,000 and came out of the Parks and Recreation budget. North said they try to resurface about six courts every few years to keep up with wear and tear on the facility.
“We want to make sure our facilities are up to the latest standard,” North said.
Those who play after the sun goes down will notice a recent improvement in the lighting. North said they replaced a 30-year-old lighting system last year with brand-new LED lights that burn brighter and more efficiently. This upgrade was made possible through the Land and Water Conservation Fund.
In August of last year, the city received a $100,000 grant, which helped fund the lighting project. North said the city put up a matching $100,000 for the grant. The project was completed in October.
“Everybody we have talked to about it has said how great the lighting is and how bright it is out there,” North said.