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Owensboro advances plan for 18‑court pickleball complex at Ben Hawes Park
Summary
Parks and Recreation Director Amanda Rogers presented an 18‑court pickleball complex concept at Ben Hawes Park, proposing $1 million in city match funding (2:1 match with River City Pickleball Club fundraising), phased construction beginning with nine courts, public meetings and concerns about restrooms, parking and neighborhood buffering were discussed.
Amanda Rogers, Owensboro’s parks and recreation director, presented a plan to build an 18‑court outdoor pickleball complex at Ben Hawes Park that would pair city funds with private fundraising by River City Pickleball Club.
Rogers said the city signed a municipal order in December 2023 that authorized budgeting up to $1 million toward the project on a 2‑to‑1 matching basis tied to club fundraising. Mark Bond, landscape architect with Lowe’s Design, showed a concept plan with 18 courts, event space, synthetic turf spectator areas and two championship courts with room for grandstands. Bond described a phased approach that would include nine courts in a base bid, a food‑truck area and access to existing parking. He said the city hopes to bid the project in November and finish construction in summer 2025, weather dependent.
Commissioners and residents asked how spectators and participants would access restroom facilities. Rogers said the project would not include a standalone restroom building because it would add roughly $200,000 in cost; instead the plan calls for a walking path and bridge to existing Ben Hawes restrooms, with funds allotted to renovate those restrooms for increased use. She said a 2,500‑square‑foot artificial turf spectator area is included in the design.
Questions about parking and scheduling came up: Rogers said the project will rely on existing Ben Hawes parking supplemented by overflow at the golf course and occasional remote parking where the old tennis courts once were. She added the city and club will coordinate scheduling so large pickleball events do not conflict with other major park events.
Jeremy Edge, fundraising chair for River City Pickleball Club, told the commission the club has begun raising funds and has commitments in hand, and club representatives attended the meeting to show support. Rogers said the club will have priority access for programming but courts will remain open to the public; she estimated two to four courts could be available for drop‑in play during club programs.
Rogers said the complex is intended to relieve demand at other city courts, support league and event play, and boost sports tourism for Owensboro. A public information meeting was scheduled for next Thursday at 5 p.m. at the Parks and Recreation Administrative Center to gather further input before finalizing construction drawings.
