With dozens of anxious pickleball players looking on, Mayor William E. Cooper, members of Enterprise City Council, Enterprise State Community College President Danny Long and others Wednesday held a ceremonial “dink” hitting pickleballs over the net to officially open the complex.

“Back in 2016 we started with two pickleball courts and a handful of pickleball players and look where we are today,” Billy Powell, Director of Community Services and Recreation said. “It’s great to see such a turnout for this new complex. That is a testament to the need for this in our community.”

Mayor Cooper called the new complex one of the finest in all of Alabama and he thanked President Long and Enterprise State Community College (ESCC) for their partnership.

“Utilizing the old tennis courts allowed us to be good stewards of tax payer dollars,” Cooper said. We were able to transform that rundown facility into a new, state-of-the art complex that I hope Enterprise will enjoy for years to come.”

Enterprise City Council approved an agreement with ESCC in February 2023 for Phase I of the project. Construction began in July 2023, with assistance from McKee & Associates and Beasley Construction.  Members of the City of Enterprise’s Public Works Department and Parks and Recreation Department helped complete the project on time and on budget.  However, due to a manufacturing delay out of the city’s control, a part needed for the lights on the courts has yet to be delivered.

“We didn’t want to make the community wait any longer,” Powell explained. “While we ordered the part months ago, unfortunately, we are still waiting.  We expect that to arrive in the next few weeks and will install it as soon as possible.” 

Powell said the courts will be open from sunrise to sunset for the safety of the players until the lights are working. Once installed, courts will be open from sunrise to 10 p.m.  In the interim, pickleball courts will still be available in the evening hours at Donaldson Park.

“The pickleball players in Enterprise are some of the most passionate and enthusiastic athletes in our community and we appreciate their patience as we navigate this minor inconvenience, but, as Billy mentioned, we just didn’t want them to have to wait any longer to use the courts,” said Blake Moore, Superintendent of Enterprise Parks and Recreation.

Moore, who served as emcee for the grand opening, also recognized Leigh Cassady, who he called “a champion for the sport” in Enterprise.

“We are grateful for her support of our program. Not only did she provide financial support, but she also was instrumental in getting the pavilion donated by Baker Metal Works & Supply.”

At the conclusion of the ceremony, players flocked to the courts to play, including Cassady, who taught Cooper how to play the fastest growing sport in America.

To help meet the demand of the sport, the new EPRD Recreation and Aquatic Center will have the ability to convert the indoor basketball courts to 10 pickleball courts. That facility is expected to open by the end of 2024.

For more information about pickleball, the rules/regulations, and group play times, please visit https://rec.enterpriseal.gov/programs___events/pickleball.php