The city’s parks department and the Halifax County Convention and Visitors Bureau celebrated the new Rochelle Park pickleball courts today with a ribbon-cutting.
Roanoke Rapids’ share of occupancy tax dollars funded the courts, which replaced a dilapidated tennis court that had been an amenity at the park since the 1970s.
“We’ve done a lot of great things together,” said Lori Medlin, president and CEO of the HCCVB. “We always try to think of things that enhance the quality of life in the community and bring visitors in.”
Many visitors to the area are older and retired, she said. “They’re stopping by the visitors center and asking us where they can play pickleball.”
(To reserve a court, use the RecDesk program as reservations will take priority)
There is a single court at the Jo Story Senior Center. “We thought this would be great. We knew the tennis court was not being used and couldn’t be used,” Medlin said. “We thought this would be a great place so we reached out to the city, and they said, ‘Yes.’”
City parks and recreation Director Kelly Daughtry said planning for the courts began last fall.
Medlin said that from a tourism perspective, the hope is that “any asset we have that we can recommend to people to get them to stay here a little longer” is part of the marketing plan. “The longer they stay, the more money they spend, so they might stay an extra half a day or an extra day. Maybe they’ll come for tournaments, and while they’re here they’ll eat, maybe spend the night, get gas, and spend some money while they’re here. This happens a lot with tourism projects. It’s good for the visitors, and it also enhances the quality of life for the residents.”
Medlin said the HCCVB is proud of the way occupancy tax dollars are used. “All the funds are left here by visitors. No local tax dollars are being used for any of our efforts.”
Daughtry said the efforts by the HCCVB to fund the courts are very important to the city. “The city does have limited funds, and we’re trying to use the funds that the city gives to us to try to maintain some things, so we don’t have very many opportunities to provide new things to the community without our partnership.”
Even before the ribbon-cutting, people have been using the courts, Daughtry said. “There are people out here almost every day.”
The park also has new playground equipment, which was not part of the HCCVB occupancy tax project but came from insurance funds when equipment was damaged in the May storm.
Daughtry said she is pleased with the new courts. “I think they look good, people have been using them, and they’ve been excited about it.”
Mike Vosburg drove from Emporia to practice his serve. He has been playing for six months and loves the game. “It’s been great. It’s a good fellowship game and conditioning game,” he said. “I just try to practice and get better at my craft.”
The courts, he said, have been fantastic. “We’re playing with a group from Roanoke Rapids, and we’ve created a Facebook page for Emporia pickleball, and last Sunday we had all three courts playing.”
Vosburg says he loves the fellowship and the friends he meets. “It can be competitive, but we welcome beginners. It’s a great community sport.”
At 71, Vosburg has lost 15 pounds since he’s been playing. “My flexibility has increased tremendously. Pickleball is a great game all the way around—for fellowship, number one—and you build relationships with people, you get to know people, you get to improve your craft, and play with people and watch people grow from beginners all the way to experienced.”
