On Wednesday evening, the Warren Pickleball, Inc. board was joined by a sizeable crowd for a grand opening ceremony and dedication of eight pickleball courts at the park.

The $275,000 project was the result of two years of work, including a showing of 100 people at a city council meeting in support of the project last June.

According to Martha Betts, who served as mistress of ceremonies, the driving force getting the project off the ground was the duo of Doug James and Kim Mong. According to Betts, the pair brought their passion for pickleball to Warren and have worked tirelessly to grow the sport in the region.

A history of the presence of pickleball in Warren County was given before members of the Warren Pickleball, Inc. Board of Directors; which includes James, Jon Marti, Dawn Pavlock, Mong, Barb Zawacki, Jim Fiscus, Marianne Malloy, Nicole Phillips, Jamie Steffan, Kim Lane, Betts and Zach Sturdevant; were introduced. Major donors were recognized, as were contractors on the project. Others recognized included; city staff and elected officials, Nancy Freenock, the Warren YMCA and the Jefferson Defrees Family Center.

Warren Pickleball, Inc. Board of Directors President Doug James hits the first ball at the newly opened pickleball courts at Betts Park while Warren Mayor David Wortman looks on.

An overview of work by Warren PIckleball, Inc. Outreach was presented before the ceremony moved on to the formal dedication.

A plaque was presented by Sturdevant on behalf of Warren Pickleball, Inc. to Warren Mayor David Wortman on behalf of the city. The ribbon was cut to open the facility officially and James was given the hoor of hitting the first ball at the courts.