TTL support delivers new pickleball courts for Tuscaloosa park

Players of America’s fastest-growing sport now have a new place to swing their paddles in West Alabama.

A set of 19 new pickleball courts were unveiled Monday, March 23, at J. Oviatt Bowers Park in Tuscaloosa, AL.

What began as a vision to reimagine aging tennis courts was transformed into a $3.3 million, tournament-ready facility featuring the new outdoor courts – three of them covered – along with shaded pavilions, lighting, enhanced security, and a new restroom building.

 “As I think back to when we were bold enough to say Tuscaloosa needed to really improve its quality of place and quality of life, we envisioned days like today and projects like this,” said Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox, “This is great for our constituents and it will be great for tourism – it’s  just great all around.”

From concept through ribbon cutting, TTL played a central role in supporting this project for the benefit of what has consistently been listed as the fastest growing sport in the U.S., with participation increasing by more than 300% in recent years.

Rooted in a broader master planning initiative for Bowers Park, Jason Walker, PE, PLS, served as project manager while Chase Lucas, EIT, supported as project engineer.

“I’ve been going to Bowers Park for most of my life to participate in some sort of sporting activity,” Chase said, “so any improvements to the facility are exciting, especially a high-level venue like this to supplement the park.”

Their efforts were bolstered by Chris Crawford, PE, as the framework for Phase 1 improvements were established and, later, by Adam Strachan, PE.

This officially marks the third pickleball project TTL has completed in the last year for the City, after two courts at the local YMCA grew into eight community courts near Northridge High School.

Now, 19 more are open at Bowers Park.

“While each project has been meaningful in its own way, the opportunity to help create a tournament level venue has been especially rewarding” said Adam, who joined the Bowers Park project to lead civil design, project management, and guide the work through construction. “I'm excited to see the impact this project will have on our community by bringing people together, promoting active lifestyles, and creating a space for connection and competition.”

TTL’s multidisciplinary team delivered comprehensive services, including civil design, geotechnical engineering, surveying, construction administration, and construction materials engineering and testing for a fully integrated approach. The result is a thoughtfully designed recreational space built to serve both the local community and competitive events.

With strong community support and thoughtful execution, the Bowers Park pickleball courts are now poised to become a vibrant hub for recreation in Tuscaloosa.

“I’m excited to see people over here and I’m just so thankful we can add to the quality of life in Tuscaloosa,” said City Councilman John Faile, who represents the area as part of District 6. “Seniors like me can play, and younger people and families can play together.

“This is going to be a very special place.”