The Columbia County Racquet Center is now open.
On Monday, June 5, the Columbia County Racquet Center, which is the old Petersburg Racquet Club, opened to the public. It closed on May 1 after the county purchased the facility and during that time, the county has made repairs, upgrades and other changes to the complex.
“For the past five weeks, county staff has been working to repair the sidewalks throughout the facility, repair the stairways and replace the handrails to the lower courts, extend the fencing to enclose clay courts, repair and upgrade the storm drains around the property to allow for better flow of water run-off, upgrade and plan for ADA improvements throughout the complex and enhance the current landscape,” according to a news release from Columbia County. “Staff will continue to work on clubhouse improvements and upgrading lighting for the sidewalks, parking lots, and courts.”
Dianna Crislip was one of the members out at the racquet center on Monday. She said she thought Columbia County purchasing the facility was a great opportunity and that the improvements are good.
“They allow everyone to enjoy this wonderful facility,” Crislip said of the changes made to the facility. “Pickleball is the rage right now, so Columbia County is on the front end of that.”
As for any other improvements that might be needed, Crislip said she imagines as the county looks at the facility, they’ll see different things that need to be done over time.
“But right now, all that they have done are just positive improvements,” Crislip said.
The pickleball courts are still under construction, along with a new restroom, and are expected ty be completed by early 2024, the county said. During the construction of the pickle ball courts, the smaller parking lot will be closed. Those wishing to visit the facility will need to park in the larger parking lots on Cedar Rock Drive.
The facility has both hard tennis courts and clay tennis courts. The hard tennis courts are open for public play and reservations are not required, according to the county. Reservations are required for the clay tennis courts and can be made by 706-860-9288 or emailing James Webb at jwebb@columbiacountyga.gov.
“At this time, all patrons all invited to play on the clay courts with the appropriate shoes until a fee schedule is approved by the Board of Commissioners,” the county news release said. “The fee schedule will require two readings which will go before the Board of Commissioners at the June 6, 2023 and June 20, 2023 BOC meetings.”
According to the agenda document for the June 6 meeting, the proposed fees for clay tennis court memberships are $350 for Columbia County residents, $275 for Columbia County residents 55 and older and $500 per year for non-Columbia County residents.
The Columbia County Board of Commissioners approved an agreement of purchase and sale for the property during the meeting on Tuesday, April 18 for $1.5 million from Craig Jones.
The Columbia County Racquet Club is located at 421 The Pass and is open daily from 8 a.m. – 9 p.m. For more information, call 706-860-9288.
Stephanie Hill is a staff writer covering Columbia County government for The Augusta Press. Reach her at stephanie@theaugustapress.com.
