Malia Riggs
Elmore Autauga News
The city of Prattville and the Prattville Parks and Recreation Department officially opened Newton Park’s new tennis and pickleball courts and commemorated the event with a ribbon cutting Monday afternoon.
Phase one of Newton Parks remodel and new edition consists of four pickle ball courts, and five new tennis courts in addition to renovating the existing tennis courts and bathrooms that are yet to be finished, but just need the finishing touches.
“I’m so excited to be a part of this project, it’s been a long time coming,” Prattville’s Parks and Recreation Director Kellie Cook said.
The courts all have new LED lights that are on a timer so night games and matches can be played, weather permitting, all year round. The timers are on system with sensors to not only save money but also promote safety within the park.
“It’s a great day in Prattville Alabama, and an even better day in district 6, this is something I’m very proud of. This project is one of our tier projects along with Pratt Park, Stanley-Jensen Stadium and the efforts were put in at North Highland Park,” Chair of the Parks and Recreation Department and Prattville City Councilman Robert Strichik said.
Cook and Strichik both went on to thank the engineers and the construction companies that have put forth the work to make Newton Park a reality.
“I’m looking forward to all the future pickleball players who will learn how to play, I’m one of them. We’ll resurface those tennis courts that we all grew up playing on. This is not completely finished but it’s going to be a fantastic project, and great for our city and community,” Strichik said.
Mayor Bill Gillespie was also in attendance and showed his support by also thanking the engineers and the construction companies for their hard work and dedication to the community in Prattville.
“Our schools utilize the tennis courts for practice and matches, and I can’t wait to see how these courts are utilized down the line. This is basically phase one, phase one is what you see here, and will also include our old tennis courts,” Gillespie said.
With construction still underway and improvements and finishing touches pending, the next phase will be to complete the skateboard park as well as additions to the parking lots and bathrooms.
“Hopefully we have a lot more folks coming out here to be able to enjoy not only the weather but what we’ve accomplished here,” Gillespie said.
