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Council authorizes Blue Cross grant application for Ridley Park pickleball and tennis complex
Summary
Council ratified the City of Columbia’s application for a Blue Cross Health Places grant and accepted an award of up to $1,000,000 to build sports courts at Ridley Park. City staff said the project would include 12 pickleball courts and six tennis courts and estimated a major economic impact from tournaments.
The City of Columbia voted Sept. 12 to ratify an application for the 2024 Blue Cross Health Places grant and to accept an award of up to $1,000,000 to support park improvements at Ridley Park.
Mac Reagan told the council the project is expected to include 12 dedicated pickleball courts and six tennis courts, separated by surface type, and could serve local leagues and regional tournaments. "With the new formula came in, we're bringing in right now about $23,000,000 in economic impact at Ridley Park…along with Premier Girl Softball bringing in about $20,000,000 a year," Reagan said, summarizing the economic case for investing in tournament‑ready facilities.
Council members emphasized the potential for visitor spending and year‑round use. The council approved the resolution to accept and administer the grant and authorized the mayor to execute related documents; the vote was recorded as Aye by all members present.
Why it matters: The grant would fund construction of multi‑court facilities that city staff say are designed to attract tournaments and regional play, with projected increases in local economic activity and tourism. The council framed the investment as complementing existing park programming and as a way to leverage outside funding for recreation infrastructure.
What’s next: Staff will proceed with grant documentation and project planning if the award is finalized; site and design work will follow grant conditions and procurement rules.
