Kellogg Community College today announced it has met its community fundraising goal for a project that will improve and expand the outdoor pickleball courts on the North Avenue campus in Battle Creek.
The $50,000 raised during the public fundraising campaign this fall matches the $50,000 that was committed earlier this year by the Calhoun County Visitors Bureau, an early advocate for expanding outdoor pickleball at KCC.
“We at KCC are sincerely grateful to the more than 100 donors who collectively gave $100,000 toward the cost of the KCC Pickleball Project,” said Eric Greene, Vice President for Communications and Advancement. “The individuals and organizations who donated to this project not only provided monetary support, but they also gave partnership, energy and ideas that made this project successful.”
In addition to the CCVB, major donors included the Cereal City Pickleball Club, Battle Creek Pickleball Club, Battle Creek Community Foundation, Zanetti Family Foundation, Schweitzer Inc. and Sunshine Toyota. Among all donors, individual gifts ranged from $25 to $5,000. To see a full list of donors and learn more about KCC’s pickleball courts, visit kellogg.edu/pickleball.
Thanks to the community’s support, the KCC pickleball complex now features 12 courts for recreational and tournament play and serves as the largest outdoor pickleball destination in the Battle Creek area. The construction – which began this fall and will be completed in spring 2024 when the courts reopen after winter – involves the renovation of eight existing courts and addition of four new courts. The expanded complex will create opportunities for more usage, including tournaments.
The KCC Board of Trustees authorized the $160,000 project, which also is supported by College funds. In addition to the CCVB, the College partnered with the Cereal City Pickleball Club and Battle Creek Pickleball Club to develop the project during the spring and summer of 2023.
Using the USA Pickleball specifications as a guide, KCC worked with Battle Creek-based Schweitzer Inc. to generate plans to ensure all 12 courts will accommodate organized tournaments. All 12 courts will remain open on a first-come, first-served basis except when reserved for College activities and tournaments.
Funds raised for the project supported key elements, including:
- Converting two existing tennis courts into four new pickleball courts
- Repairing surfaces of eight existing courts
- Adding windscreens to create optimal conditions for gameplay
- Installing benches for players waiting between games
- Adding new nets and court dividers
- Installing gates to allow for faster travel between courts
Questions about the project, including advertising opportunities, can be directed to Eric Greene, Vice President for Communications and Advancement, at greenee@kellogg.edu.
Photo caption: Supporters of the Kellogg Community College Pickleball Project gathered at the KCC campus in Battle Creek recently to cut the ribbon and celebrate the project. Holding the ribbon are, from left, Eric Greene, KCC Vice President for Communications and Advancement; Dan Dodge, with the Battle Creek Pickleball Club; Clark Maddox (holding scissors), with the Battle Creek Pickleball Club; Donnie Speck, with the Cereal City Pickleball Club; Linda Freybler, Chief Executive Officer of the Calhoun County Visitors Bureau; and Dr. Paul Watson, KCC President. Photo by Krissy Stolz.
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