Work is almost complete on new pickleball courts in Solvang.
The two new courts at Hans Christian Andersen Park and are expected to be ready for use by the end of April.
The City says after several requests for pickleball courts were received, they were able to figure out a way to make them happen.
Donations are helping pay for part of the project and some of the tasks, like building a retaining wall, are being done in-house to help limit expenses.
“We heard the community ask for pickleball courts, which seemed challenging from a cost perspective, but staff stepped up,” said City Manager Xenia Bradford in a press release. “Public Works staff has done a tremendous job taking the time from their work-day to make this happen for the community.”
Since fundraising began in November, the community has donated $8,355 of the $10,000 goal the City asked the community to help raise.
Another $20,000 for the project was diverted from other areas.
“The donations have been great so far and a lot of people have stepped up, especially the city,” David Gay, a Solvang resident and local pickleball enthusiast said in a press release. “To do the job right, though, a little more is needed. Most courts are surrounded with landscaping. Right now, our courts are surrounded by dirt and mud, and as we saw with the recent storms, that doesn’t work well.”
A local painting company, Sagebrush Painting, has offered to help paint and seal control joints.
Once the nets are up, play can begin.
The City says other enhancements to the court will be done in years to come.
Anyone interested in donating to the project can send a completed donation form along with payment to: Solvang City Hall, 1644 Oak Street, Solvang, CA 93463.
