The well-worn line from the movie “Field of Dreams,” based on W.P. Kinsella’s novel “Shoeless Joe,” is “if you build it, he will come” took on a new life Friday afternoon.
The Liberty County Recreation Department built it — and they were already waiting to put it to use.
The LCRD and the county opened their new pickleball courts at Stafford Park, and seconds after the ribbon cutting, the courts were in full-fledged use.
“I am so thankful for these new courts,” said Barnard Rose, one of the early proponents of pickleball in Liberty County.
In fact, Liberty County Commission Chairman Donald Lovette recalled Rose asking to go with him to take a look at pickleball courts in Richmond Hill to see the sport’s rapidly growing popularity.
“I would be remiss if I did not thank the father of pickleball in Liberty County, Barnard Rose,” Lovette said. “We have made great progress since our trip to the court in Richmond Hill that day. Bernard, you are living proof one person can make a difference.”
The LCRD turned tennis courts that were getting little or no use and put in six pickleball courts, with room for more at their Stafford Park complex. Charlene Godley, who chairs the Liberty County recreation board, recalled pickleball enthusiasts even coming to a board meeting and giving the board a PowerPoint presentation.
“They kind of got us excited,” Godley said.
LCRD director Raymond Gross said he told the pickleball players it may take some time to get them courts, but they were coming.
“I think this is going to get used quite a bit,” he said of the brand-new courts.
“It took a while to get them,” Godley added, “but they’re here and I’m proud they are right here on Highway 84.”
And more pickleball courts may be on the way. Just where hasn’t been determined.
“This is the first for Liberty County,” County Administrator Joseph Mosley said. “But it will not be the last. We’re going to work on more pickleball courts.”
Godley said phases 1 and 2 are completed at Fleming’s Gill Park, and she is trying to get pickleball courts there.
The new courts are open at 7 a.m. each day and the lights turn on at dusk — and turn off promptly at 10 p.m., Gross noted. The project was funded through special local option sales tax proceeds, and county officials were thankful for the support voters have given SPLOST through the years.
“If it wasn’t for that,” Gross said of SPLOST, “this wouldn’t be here.”
“We are eyewitnesses to the power and effectiveness of our SPLOST dollars,” Lovette added. “These pennies make project like these possible.”
