GAYS MILLS, WI – A proposal submitted by pickleball players in the Village of Gays Mills to finish the conversion of two village-owned tennis courts into four pickleball courts has been selected to receive this month’s AARP Wisconsin “Small Dollar, Big Impact” grant. The $1,000 grant will help with the remaining funding needed to complete the resurfacing of three remaining courts to make them a safe and level place to play pickleball.
AARP Wisconsin is awarding grants each month throughout 2023 to projects across the state that are designed to improve communities and make them better places for everyone to live, work and play as they age. Judges selected this project after reviewing dozens of proposals submitted from all over the state.
“Creating Parks and Public Spaces for People of All Ages appears to be a popular resource from AARP’s Livable Communities team for this year’s Small Dollar, Big Impact Awardees,” said Darrin Wasniewski, Associate State Director of Community Outreach for AARP Wisconsin.
“We are pleased to see Wisconsin’s communities utilizing the resources. We’ve seen pickleball grow in popularity and we are honored to support Gays Mills’ residents’ efforts to expand facilities in their community,” Wasniewski said.
Gays Mills resident Judy Powell, an avid pickleball player who submitted the grant application, said she is extremely appreciative that this project was selected for the grant and looks forward to securing donations from local businesses to secure all the money needed for the project.
Pickleball has become extremely popular for all ages in communities across the country. Early in 2023, a small group of Gays Mills residents held an open house to determine the community interest in playing pickleball. There was an immediate positive response, Powell said.
“In the spring of 2023 we obtained permission from the Village of Gays Mills to use the outdoor tennis courts,” she said. “The asphalt tennis courts had significant cracks and divots and the players became concerned about their safety. The Village supported our vision of renovating two of the four tennis courts to pickleball courts, but could not financially support the needed repairs. We have raised over $14,000 in donations. Our vision is to have four good courts to play pickleball safely.”
In September, the surface cracks were repaired by a licensed contractor. The pickleball members are doing the remainder of the work to improve the courts, such as installing four permanent sets of posts and nets, leveling the surface, resurfacing, painting and lining the courts.
“So far we have completed one of the courts. We are continuing to fundraise so that we can finish the project,” Powell said. “Our local hospital and providers have recognized the importance of pickleball as a way for people to come together, stay active and socialize.
“We are also planning evening sessions with younger players who cannot make it during the day. In addition, we have been in contact with the North Crawford School District and plan to offer pickleball as part of the summer school curriculum with our retired members providing the instruction to the children. By coming together, young people and older adults can connect and build better relationships,” she said.
Powell said pickleball has brought all types of Gays Mills area residents together like never before and is now the most popular activity in the community. “We are doing this for the enjoyment and love of what is happening – friendships, sense of belonging, physical activity, increased strength, improved mobility, and mostly fun.
“Coming together to play at any age is important for the mind, body and soul,” Powell said. “Pickleball has brought retired individuals, including those with health issues, out of their homes to exercise, visit and be active. Having a safe surface area free of hazards to play pickleball will especially help prevent individuals 50-plus from slipping, tripping or falling. This group looks forward to the camaraderie with their peers, forging of new friendships, getting exercise, and improving their quality of life.
AARP Wisconsin’s launched its “Small Dollar, Big Impact” grant program in 2020 and is now in its fourth year of helping proposed projects move forward in rural and urban parts of the state. For more information, visit www.aarp.org/WIsdbi
