Residents urge Ware County to back public pickleball courts, citing health and tourism gains

John Radden Smith, a retired Ware County educator, told the Ware County Board of Commissioners on Nov. 10 that he and local players hope the county will build a public pickleball facility to serve residents and attract tournaments. "It is our hope that Ware County will soon join the movement with a facility that is open to the public," Smith said during a work‑session presentation.

Sandy Haupt, who provided her address for the record and read a prepared statement, described traveling to more modern courts in Brunswick and Valdosta and said local outdoor courts are cracked and poorly lit. "We are in desperate need of some official pickleball courts," Haupt said, adding that seniors especially benefit from the sport.

Smith cited national growth statistics and spending on facilities to make the case that courts can bring economic activity: players and visiting teams spend on lodging and restaurants during tournaments, he said. Recreation staff told commissioners a grant application window (staff referred to it as a grant application opening in June or July 2026) will be an opportunity to seek funding and that staff will begin preliminary planning and site work so the county can apply when the grant opens.

Commissioners signaled general support and asked staff to follow up with a location plan and photographs the presenters provided. County recreation staff and the county manager were asked to coordinate next steps, and commissioners agreed to carry the item to the regular meeting so the board can consider formal endorsement or funding requests.

The county did not take a final vote at the work session. Commissioners asked staff to identify potential grant sources, prepare preliminary site plans, and to return with cost estimates and a recommended funding approach at a future meeting.