Pickleball Court Planned for City of Red Boiling Springs: How Much Will it Cost?
By Misty Green
During the Thursday, September 11, 2025, gathering of the Red Boiling Springs City Council, it was stated on the agenda under the Parks Department, that Quentin Haggard would like to present a proposal to change the tennis court to a pickleball court at its current location on 210 E Main Street.
Pickleball is a paddle sport blending elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong, played on a court with a net, using a paddle and a perforated plastic ball.
According to internet sources, converting an existing tennis court to a pickleball court costs between $5,000 to $10,000 or more, depending on the desired level of conversion.
“I have seen some people using the tennis court,” Red Boiling Springs Mayor Kenneth Hollis stated, “So why not go down there, (because all it is is a concrete pad) at the Blue Park down there and just put one on it. They have been working on the Walking Bridge across from the tennis court, and while they are here, just go ahead and let them form it up and build a pad, and be done with it? We would have a Pickleball Court and a Tennis Court. We’ve got the money to do it.” The motion to build a new pickle ball court at the Blue Park (Old Lake Park, 56 Old Lake Road, RBS), which was a result of community feedback and support, was unanimously approved.
“They are going to Lafayette and playing,” Mayor Hollis added. The newly planned Pickleball Court is slated to be a 20×44 playing court. “We will just do a single court, where you have two people on each end, and all we need to do is get with Diego and let them do it.”
“Oh, okay,” George McCrary said.
According to internet sources, a single brand new pickleball court can cost anywhere from approximately $16,000 to over $40,000, with the wide range depending on the chosen base material (asphalt vs. post-tension concrete), the need for site preparation like excavation and leveling, and the inclusion of amenities like fencing and lighting.
In other business, a Beer Board Meeting was held immediately before the monthly council meeting to discuss a beer permit application from Mikey Patel to operate on Hwy 52 in the Starmart building. The City Council unanimously approved this application during the meeting. Councilwoman Donna Grisham was absent.
Under the Planning Commission, “The owners of that house next to the Donoho (Hotel) are wanting to do some improvements,” Councilman Michael Rich stated. Red Boiling Springs Mayor Kenneth Hollis then asked who they were, saying that they were off from here… an investment group or something. Mr. Rich replied, “Lebanon, I think it is.”
The Red Boiling Springs police department, gas department, water department, and sanitation department had nothing to address in this meeting.
RBS Fire Department Chief Randall Bray shared that last month, the department went on four fire calls and attended two rescue calls. Mr. Bray also mentioned that $2,170.00 was raised at the Duck Day fundraiser held recently and that those proceeds will go to the Shop with a Firefighter event around Christmas time.
“They didn’t hire Jordan (Davenport) at the last meeting full-time, did they?” Mayor Hollis asked. “I guess we need to do that,” someone said. “That’s what I was thinking, that needed to be done because Jordan is our full-time fireman and we need to set his pay.”
Indeed, during the August 14, 2025, City Council Meeting, RBS Fire Chief Randall Bray stated that Jordan Davenport would be stepping into Michael Duffer’s full-time position; however, Davenport’s employment was not actually approved by the Council during that meeting. A motion was then made to approve his hiring, and his pay was set at $20 per hour.
The City Council also approved a resolution authorizing the City of Red Boiling Springs to participate in the “Safety Partners” program.
