Reader critical of lack of $ support

To the editor: Hello Jay County and pickleball enthusiasts.

For the last several years, local pickleball players have hoped for outdoor courts to be constructed in Portland.

With the explosion in growth of pickleball nationwide, we would read of large cities building courts 10 at a time to meet the demand. Just recently, the small town of Albany provided their residents with two new courts.

These cities had the foresight to recognize the growing trend and plan ahead. The initiative was taken by the city leaders. It just took Portland a little longer. But it had to be done at the grass roots level.

Public courts for use by the public, you would think would be funded by public funds. Not in Jay County.

I was able to get the Portland Park Board to agree on a site that met the criteria of room for two courts, parking and restrooms. The understanding was that no funds were available for the construction of pickleball courts.

With the help of private donations, enough money was raised to pay for the construction of the playing surface. This was phase 1 of the project and only included the playing surface.

Phrase 2 was to include nets ,posts to hold nets, fencing, court paint, benches and shade structures. In addition, a sidewalk would be built from parking lot to the courts.

So as you can see, there is work still to be done.

To keep the momentum going, it was suggested I contact the Jay County Commissioners for funding. So I contacted my commissioner for recommendations. He advised me to fill out a “funding request,” available at the auditor’s office, and if there was any additional information needed, I would be contacted.

I picked up the form, and learned it would not be accepted, if not typed. Having not seen a typewriter in 10 years. I called neighbors and library. Nobody had one.

I contacted the auditor’s office for an electronic form. I got that filled out and submitted with price listed for pickleball nets and posts. I was requesting $1,660 dollars. Posts were needed so they could be installed as playing surface was being constructed.

I think the commissioners dropped the ball on this request. The request was tabled.

The nets and posts have expected life span of 30 plus years, with potential of being use seven days a week, by comparison to some of the recent fireworks funding granted, which, on July 5, you might say, “those went up in smoke.”

Steve Craig

Portland