IMPROVEMENT PLANNED — With funds of up to $50,000 from the Weirton Rotary, plans are under way for a renovation of the existing tennis courts at Marland Heights Park, which will be converted to include one tennis court and four pickleball courts. Members of the Rotary club, city officials and representatives of the Weirton Pickleball Association gathered at the park Wednesday for a presentation of the first $25,000 for the project. -- Craig Howell

WEIRTON — The tennis courts at Marland Heights Park will have a new look by next summer, with the inclusion of dedicated pickleball courts.

Members of the Weirton Rotary Club were joined at the park Wednesday morning by city officials and members of the Weirton Pickleball Association for a $25,000 check presentation to help fund the renovations, which are slated to take place early next year.

“We started this last year,” explained Rotary President George Kondik, noting the contribution, which will include additional funds later on for a full donation of up to $50,000, will provide the club with naming rights to the court.

The project will include converting the existing two tennis courts into an area providing one tennis court and four pickleball courts, with funds covering the costs of new fencing, digging holes for any support structures and resurfacing of the courts. The court was designed by the Pickleball Association.

Coty Shingle, executive director of Weirton Parks, explained the conversion of the courts had been part of the scope of the first phase of improvements planned for Marland Heights Park.

“We had to limit it because of a lack of funding,” Shingle said.

Work in the first phase has, instead, included the construction of a new restroom facility on the former site of the Margaret Manson Weir Memorial Pool, new roofs on the park’s three existing shelters, new lighting, and paving.

Shingle noted, while the Park Board does receive funds from the city, it often turns to the community for support of its programs.

“Donations like this are hugely important,” Shingle said.

The inclusion of a dedicated pickleball court also will fill a need in the city’s recreational offerings, as the sport has been seeing growth in the region in recent years.

Bob Kolanko, vice president of the Weirton Pickleball Association, reported the organization has dozens of area residents take part in its regular gatherings.

“We can have as many as 30 or 40 people come in at any time,” Kolanko said, noting there have been instances of 70 players attending.

The group has been playing on courts at Starvaggi Memorial Park, but was having difficulty because of surface issues there, and at the former Boys and Girls Club on Edna Street.

Officials see the new courts, once completed, as providing an opportunity to not only expand local play, but attract players from other communities and possibly hold regional tournaments.

“We’re looking forward to next year and having it completed,” Kondik said.