Augusta Athletics Partners with DiNK’D Pickleball

Players engage in a challenging match at the newly partnered pickleball facility in Augusta.

News Summary

Augusta Athletics has teamed up with DiNK’D Pickleball to enhance community engagement and promote active lifestyles in the Central Savannah River Area. This collaboration aims to leverage shared programming and support while tapping into the growing popularity of pickleball locally. With plans for a new facility featuring tennis and pickleball courts, both entities are dedicated to fostering a vibrant recreational hub and strengthening community ties, which is anticipated to bring significant economic benefits to the region.

Augusta – Augusta Athletics has announced a significant collaboration with DiNK’D Pickleball, the only indoor pickleball facility in the Central Savannah River Area (CSRA). This partnership is designed to enhance community engagement and promote active lifestyles across the region, showcasing Augusta Athletics’ commitment to building stronger connections with the community.

The partnership will not only expand Augusta Athletics’ reach but will also facilitate shared programming, events, and facility support, allowing both entities to tap into their respective strengths. While pickleball is not a varsity sport at Augusta University, this initiative highlights the increasing popularity and importance of the sport within the local community.

Troy Akers, the Owner and Founder of DiNK’D Pickleball, views this collaboration as a forward-thinking move for the future of pickleball, aiming to inspire innovation, inclusivity, and develop a new generation of champions. Meanwhile, Ryan Erlacher, the Augusta Director of Athletics, expresses enthusiasm regarding the partnership, appreciating DiNK’D’s leadership and ongoing support for the JAGS.

The partnership with DiNK’D Pickleball is part of Augusta Athletics’ broader strategy to invest in partnerships that align with its mission to support student-athletes and facilitate an extensive community impact. As the CSRA’s premier indoor facility dedicated solely to pickleball, DiNK’D welcomes players of all skill levels and offers an event hosting space, award-winning food, and a full-service bar, thus creating a vibrant hub for recreational and community activities.

In addition to the partnership with DiNK’D, the Augusta Commission’s Public Services Committee is in the exploratory phase of discussing a proposed public-private partnership that would develop new tennis and pickleball courts in west Augusta. Dr. Troy Akers emphasized that the goal of his project is to enhance existing city racket-sport facilities and reinvest municipal court revenue for upgrades and improvements. The proposed facility is meant to accommodate the rising demand for pickleball in Augusta, which currently lacks dedicated indoor or outdoor pickleball facilities within Richmond County.

The envisioned facility will feature a total of 18 regulation tennis courts and 48 pickleball courts, with a mix of indoor and outdoor options for players. Akers’ development group has already secured 10.2 acres of land located near Interstate 20 and Wheeler Road. A major highlight of the proposal includes a 100,000-square-foot “commencement center” that would seat approximately 2,500 guests, along with a 15,000-square-foot gym designed for various sporting activities.

Preliminary informal discussions have commenced between the developers and local institutions, Augusta University and Augusta Technical College, to explore the possibility of sharing space. If this public-private partnership proves successful, future phases of development could potentially see the construction of a 200-bed hotel and additional parking facilities.

These ambitious proposals have projected a significant economic impact on the region, with estimates predicting a five-year economic benefit worth over $175 million, alongside the creation of approximately 875 jobs in Augusta. The collaboration between Augusta Athletics and DiNK’D Pickleball, together with the potential development of additional sports facilities, aims to solidify Augusta’s position as a hub for recreational sports and community engagement.

A strong emphasis is being placed on fostering a spirited community that encourages active lifestyles, highlighting the crucial role of collaborations such as this one in enhancing the quality of life for residents in the region.