Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

By DONALD MOTTERN | Staff Writer

CALERA – The city of Calera announced their acquisition of a grant that will go toward the construction of three pickleball courts and a dedicated parking lot in a statement released on Dec. 5.

The three pickleball courts will be located at Rolling Hills as the result of a grant provided by the Shelby County Commission’s Park and Recreation Program.

That grant, totaling $75,000, will aid in the construction of all three courts and the parking lot, which as currently drafted, will include 14 spaces. One of those spaces will be designated as ADA-accessible for vans in order to ensure proper accessibility for anyone wishing to utilize the space.

The project and grant will also include improvements to the access road for the area.

“The proposed project is set to significantly enhance recreational facilities in the area, catering to the growing interest in pickleball among Calera residents,” read the statement.

As currently drafted, the city expects that the project will take roughly six months to complete once all bids are awarded.

The total estimated cost for the initiative is set at a total of $102,938, of which Shelby County will be contributing $75,000. The remaining $27,938 will be covered by the city of Calera and serve as part of its commitment to bringing more recreational opportunities to its residents.

The city also took time in its release and on social media to publicly thank and display gratitude to the Shelby County Commission and its Park and Recreation Program for its aid in bringing the project to fruition.

Rolling Hills is currently the site of the Rolling Hills Conference Center and RV Park. The site currently features a swimming pool, lake, tennis and basketball courts, conference center, family life center, youth building, kitchen and dining area and a snack shack. The convention center is available for special events that commonly include church camps, business meetings, training sessions, classes and seminars.