BEATRICE – A local grant will be helping with the growing popularity of Pickleball.  The Beatrice City Council has approved an $18,000 grant through the Beatrice-Plus program to help fund floor resurfacing and adding permanent lines on the Beatrice Municipal Auditorium court for three pickleball courts.

A committee that oversees requests from the fund recently forwarded their recommendation to the city council, on a project that’s expected to cost about $30,000.

Pickleball as a sport has been booming in local popularity with establishment of outdoor courts at Chautauqua Park in Beatrice….and now indoor alternatives during colder weather.

A Beatrice Pickleball Association, made up of 72 players……counted 56 people playing the sport during October…..120 in November….and over 300 during the month of December.

Pickleball court hours at the municipal auditorium are from 7:45 a.m., until 3 p.m.

The Beatrice Plus program is funded by voluntary utility bill donations, helping to fund community betterment projects.