The pickleball courts were originally planned to go next to the Hot Dog Shoppe, but according to Mayor Gregory Bricker the city ran into some roadblocks with that location, so they went with the YMCA since the infrastructure for the court. A former underutilized parking lot was already in place, which saved on construction.

The YMCA will be maintaining the court.

The cost of the courts was paid with funds raised by the city and are open to the public at no cost. Membership to the YMCA is not needed to use them, but the city is asking that people check in at the YMCA before playing on the courts.

The city raised $86,000 for the courts. Construction came in a little under the amount that was raised so the city is looking into buying a small pavilion and some benches to put courtside with the little extra that was raised.

Officials from the City of East Liverpool and the YMCA gather on the new pickleball courts, along with those who contributed to the cost of constructing it, following the ribbon cutting officially open the courts Thursday. (Photo by Kristi R. Garabrandt)

“This is paid for with money we raised as a city,” Bricker said. “We have some pretty good people in the community that contributed to this, so this is free of cost to anyone that wants to play.”

Players are welcome to bring their own equipment or check paddles and balls out from the YMCA.

The hours for the pickleball courts will be the same as the hours for the YMCA.

Bricker also thanked everyone who donated and all the people that made this community asset possible and that he hopes to hold some tournaments later this summer to show off the new courts.

Bricker said he thinks the courts will be a huge draw in getting people back downtown to maybe play some pickleball and then grab dinner somewhere.

The sign for the East Liverpool Pickleball Courts at the YMCA features the names of Marlene and Darryl Smith, who were major contributors to the cost of the court. (Photo by Kristi R. Garabrandt)

“I think we are going to have a lot of success,” Bricker said. “The Calcutta Y(MCA) has seen a huge success and it’s the largest growing sport in the world. I’m trying to get more fun stuff to the city, and I think this is a good fit.”

Contributors to the pickleball project include East Liverpool City Hospital, Mercy Health, Hancock County Savings Bank, Veteran Energy, Calcutta Rotary, the YMCA, Fiesta Tableware, Diloreto Construction, Heritage Thermal and Marlene and Darryl Smith.

Kgarabrandt@mojonews.com

Sisters Maggie Muldoon, 7, and Jessie, 10, were randomly selected to cut the ribbon officially opening the new pickleball ball court at the East Liverpool YMCA Thursday. (Photo by Kristi R. Garabrandt)

East Liverpool Mayor Gregory Bricker tries out the new pickleball court that opened at the East Liverpool YMCA Thursday. (Photo by Kristi R. Garabrandt)