Lee County marks opening of covered pickleball courts at Ruttenberg Park

Lee County officials and community partners gathered for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate new pickleball courts at Ruttenberg Park, officials said the courts opened for play on Feb. 5 (year not specified in the transcript).

"I'm Cecil Pendergrass, currently chairman of the board of the county commissioners," Pendergrass said in opening remarks, welcoming attendees and recognizing commissioners and county staff. County Manager Dave Harner and assistant county managers Chris Brady and Glenn Sauer were named among staff thanked for their roles in the project.

Commissioner Brian Hammond highlighted the funding source. "This project was funded by impact fees," Hammond said, noting that the county collects park impact fees on new home permits and that those fees helped pay for the improvements that residents will now enjoy.

Mac Young, director of Parks and Recreation, thanked commissioners, county managers and staff and called the courts "a special addition for the people of the Ruttenberg community." He and other officials thanked the project team and contractors for completing the work.

Ihab Gurgis, identified in the transcript as the facilities director and nicknamed "Bob the Builder," described the scope of the project. He said the facility covers about 17,400 square feet and that "4 of them, as you can see, are covered," and added that the site includes covered courts that the transcript refers to as the first covered pickleball courts in Lee County. Gurgis thanked project manager Randy Harris and communications staff Betsy Clayton and Katie Welton, and private-sector partners Stalls Construction, Baraco Engineering, Parker Majid, TLC and David Jones.

Pendergrass also noted the site’s prior use: an older library building that had been closed and used for storage before being redeveloped into the park facility. He recognized Lee County deputies in attendance for their work to keep the area safe and invited participants to join the formal ribbon cutting.

The ceremony concluded with officials proceeding to the ribbon cutting and public celebration. The event was primarily ceremonial; no formal votes or policy decisions were recorded in the provided transcript.