Parks board waives Burton Wells court fees for Lowcountry Pickleball League charity tournament

The Beaufort County Parks and Recreation Advisory Board on Sept. 5 unanimously approved waiving court rental fees for a two-day Lowcountry Pickleball League charity tournament planned for Nov. 16–17 at the Burton Wells complex.

Bridal Fennel, who identified themself as commissioner of the Lowcountry Pickleball Leagues, told the board the league is a 501(c)(3) that has run previous charity tournaments and aims to hold two such events annually. “In 2023 we raised $7,500 in one day for the Boys and Girls Club, and over $10,000 on a two‑day event,” Fennel said, adding the league expects roughly 500 matches over the two days and up to about 1,000 people to participate or attend.

The board asked staff whether the requested dates had scheduling conflicts and whether the league had insurance and participant waivers. Staff reported no known reservations for the courts on the proposed Nov. 16–17 weekend and confirmed receipt of an insurance certificate; Fennel said the league requires player waivers and would arrange publicity and volunteer cleanup. Board members also discussed potential costs tied to trash removal and lighting and asked the league to provide a recap after the event.

Alan Arsenault moved to waive the rental fee for the two days; the motion was approved by voice vote with no roll-call recorded. The board asked league organizers to return with a summary of the event at the board’s January meeting.

The board did not document a roll-call tally in the transcript and recorded the decision as a voice vote. The motion’s text, staff conditions related to scheduling and insurance, and the board’s request for a post-event recap were entered into the meeting’s minutes.