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Madison County considers covered pickleball and basketball facility at county rec site
Summary
Commissioners reviewed plans for a covered 120-foot red-iron structure to house six pickleball courts and two basketball courts, plus a 40-foot office area for ADA access; staff flagged noise, lighting and operational concerns and asked for peer review.
At the retreat, the board reviewed a proposal to build a red-iron, roof-only recreation facility that would hold six pickleball courts and two basketball courts under one roof, with a 40-foot front section reserved for offices and accessible restrooms.
Speaker 1 described the proposed facility as "120 foot wide red iron" with the front 40 feet designated for office and storage space. The covered design aims to protect the specialized "rubber" pickleball surface from sun damage and extend its useful life, while providing capacity for evening play with fixed lighting.
Board members and staff raised operational questions including acoustics and neighbor noise, ball containment (netting and chain-link proposals), restroom access for potential upstairs uses and the durability of courts in variable weather. Several participants recommended consulting staff from Athens-Clarke County and Bishop Park for lessons learned on covered courts.
Speaker 1 suggested staff ensure the structure is designed for future adaptability — including load-bearing for a second floor or elevator pocket — rather than building a seasonal facility that cannot be repurposed.
The board requested staff to return with pipe sizing, site costs and an operations plan, and to consider construction sequencing so parking and stormwater impacts are addressed prior to building.
