Okaloosa County highlights new pickleball courts, renovated equestrian stalls at Baker Recreation Center

Jeff Peters, Okaloosa County’s facility and parks director, described upgrades at the Baker Recreation and Equestrian Center that county staff say include four new pickleball courts, a new basketball court and extensive renovations to the center’s equestrian stalls.

Peters said county crews completed four brand-new pickleball courts and installed a new basketball court with glass backboards. “We try to do things here in Okaloosa County first class and this is just another amenity that we…brought to the table for the community,” Peters said.

The renovations to the equestrian area include work on 156 stalls that Peters said were widened from 10 feet to 15 feet, new stall doors and new roofing. “We’re actually calling them horse condominiums, Sherry. So I think, people are gonna be extremely happy with them,” Peters said. He added the facility has new LED lighting and new black vinyl-coated fencing and that county maintenance staff handled the construction and electrical work.

Peters said the arena and stalls have generally been open for riders during the week and for practice, but that the facility is sometimes locked during events and visitors should check scheduling with the county’s TDD department. He also said the county is installing LED lights for the courts so people can play after work; with the new lighting Peters said courts will be available until about 10 p.m.

County staff framed the upgrades as a way to attract events to the arena and to provide expanded programming and recreational options. Peters noted the campground and court color choices reflect local teams, saying the Baker Gators’ colors inspired the scheme. For scheduling and additional details, Peters directed residents to myokaloosa.com.

The segment did not identify funding sources, exact completion dates, or formal opening ceremonies, and no votes or formal county commission actions were recorded in the transcript.