By Aidan Mortensen | KOAL News
As pickleball continues its rapid ascent to become one of America’s most beloved pastimes, cities across the nation are scrambling to accommodate the love for the game. In Orangeville, this is no different, as thanks to citizen engagement, the city is preparing to celebrate the grand opening of the new Cottonwood Courts pickleball facility in the town.
Mayor Shaun Bell joined the KOAL newsroom to discuss the process behind developing the courts and preview what’s in store for the grand opening.
Opening our conversation, Mayor Bell shared what inspired the project: “My neighbor, Todd (Hinkins), called me one day and said, ‘Hey, I want to go for a ride.’ So he came and picked me up. We went down to the park and he said, ‘I’d love to have some pickleball courts here.'”
Bell continued,” And I said that I would love to, but Orangeville is a small community and we don’t have a lot of money. Basically, we don’t have any money.”
Bell suggested that they search for funds in other places, with Hinkins requesting money from the Emery County Commission and from the community to help make his vision a reality.
Looking at the process from a mayoral perspective, Bell discussed what excites him most about the courts. “One morning, when I got up to go to work, I left at 5:30 a.m., and they were already playing that early in the morning. And you go by there every morning, they’re playing. I go by at nighttime, we’ve got lights on them, and they’re still playing. And it’s just phenomenal to see that kind of activity and that kind of support.”
Changing topics to the grand opening – which will take place on Saturday, Sept. 20, with a free tournament – Bell gave a closer look at what to expect: “The county has helped us out again. Amanda Leonard has got us some prizes to give away. At 11 a.m., we’re going to have Get Your Smoke On, and they’ve donated 150 meals for everybody that’s helped us out. So the community has just come together.”
Registration for the tournament begins promptly at 8:30 a.m. with tournament play starting at 9 a.m.
In closing, Bell stated,” I just hope everybody comes and utilizes the courts and takes care of them. A lot of time, sweat and blood has come through this. So hopefully everybody takes care of everything for us.
The Cottonwood Courts grand opening celebration begins at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 20, in Orangeville City Park with registration for its inaugural pickleball tournament.
