River City Pickleball has sold naming rights for all 18 courts planned at Ben Hawes Park and is launching a community campaign to finish fundraising for amenities that leaders say will make the venue a regional draw.
At a recent member kickoff, the club outlined its final goals and timeline while celebrating momentum on sponsorships. Past president Alex Ross said the group has moved from simply securing courts to sharpening the project’s quality.
“We’re in good shape for courts and the base facility,” Ross said. “Now the question is how nice we want to make it — do we want a top-class destination, or just another set of park courts? That’s the challenge we’ve posed to our members and the pickleball community.”
The City of Owensboro is partnering with the club on the build, matching private dollars at a 2-to-1 rate up to $1 million. The club’s original commitment was $500,000; Ross said the overall target has risen to roughly $700,000 to help fund features that enhance the experience.
“All the individual courts now have naming sponsors,” Ross said. “What remains are the overall facility naming rights and the large shaded gathering area at the entrance. The rest we’ll raise through the pickleball community, RCPC members, and other generous supporters.”
Fundraising co-chair John “Bubba” Shown said the 18 court sponsorships include 16 recreational courts and two championship courts. Court naming rights were offered at $10,000 for a 10-year term. Visit Owensboro and the Marilyn Young Foundation each committed $50,000 tied to the championship-court level. Shown added that the City recently extended the club’s payment window from four years to five, giving volunteers more flexibility as they finish the drive.
“The 18 courts are going to happen,” Shown said. “If some extras have to come later, they can — but the courts, lighting, and shaded gathering areas are locked in.”
The complex layout includes four pods of four recreational courts, two side-by-side championship courts with seating, shaded social spaces, lighting, a practice/dink zone, a lessons area, a walking path connection, and a food-truck loop. Restroom renovations at the adjacent parking area are planned.
Ross said the club’s immediate community goal is about $270,000 — a “last stretch” intended to fund the entrance hub with shade, turf, and seating, plus other upgrades that position the facility to host frequent leagues, clinics, and tournaments.
“We want this to be the most fun place to play pickleball, whether you’re playing or just watching,” Ross said. “That’s been our vision from the start.”
City Parks Director Amanda Rogers has previously said public interest continues to outpace available space, noting the City’s permanent public courts at York Park are routinely full. With Ben Hawes, leaders expect more local access as well as tournament traffic that benefits the community.
City officials are finalizing construction bidding and contractor selection. Ross said minor tweaks have been made since the latest conceptuals, but the overall design remains consistent. Updated documents are expected as the project moves from concept to construction drawings.
