BEN HAWES FACILITY UPDATES AND TIMELINES

2/7/2024:

Good morning River City Pickleball Club, The Ben Hawes Committee is excited to share an update on our ongoing efforts to enhance pickleball in the Owensboro/Daviess County area. We know many of you are eager for news, and we appreciate your patience as we continue working through the details to bring this project to life. In short, the Ben Hawes Pickleball Facility is still on track for 2025 construction and we are so excited to bring it to the pickleball community! Project & Fundraising Update Progress continues to move forward with excitement and efficiency. The Fundraising Committee met this past Tuesday to review our current standing, fundraising totals, and next steps. Our primary focus remains on securing large corporate/private pledges for the various, facility naming rights. To date, we have secured commitments from 12 corporate/private partners (with more currently in discussions) to a total sum in the six-figure range. Agreement language is currently being drafted/finalized amongst the committee to be sent to these partners in the coming days to formalize these generous contributions. Additionally, discussions with the region's largest corporate partners for further six-figure pledges are ongoing. These conversations involve multiple steps and approvals, so they will take time, but we remain optimistic about continued progress. And, as you can image, if the committee secures pledges of that magnitude, it will fundamentally change the direction of fundraising. We also want to assure our members that this fundraising approach is the agreed strategic direction by the Fundraising Committee. By securing a significant portion of funds through corporate and private pledges, we hope to reduce the financial burden on our membership when we begin broader fundraising efforts. Our goal is to make this project as accessible as possible for everyone who wants to contribute, while still guaranteeing a world-class facility. Timeline & Next Steps City and Lose Design reports consistently indicate that bidding/construction is expected to begin in 2025, with the goal of opening for play the same year and there are no reports confirming the contrary. While there has been a delay in the completion of final construction and bid documents from Lose Design, City officials anticipate these will be finalized this month. Once received, the Ben Hawes Committee will conduct a final review with the City to ensure everything aligns with expectations. Keeping Everyone Informed We understand that with a project of this scale, information can sometimes become unclear or feel inconsistent. Please know that we are committed to keeping everyone informed and will provide more regular updates moving forward. Our goal is to be as transparent as possible while also ensuring we share details when they are confirmed and accurate. But in between updates, please rely on the following sources for accurate information: The Ben Hawes Committee, The Fundraising Committee, The Design Committee, or the RCPC Board; these groups will have the most up to date and confirmed information. And as always, refer to the Ben Hawes Updates page on the RCPC website. We truly appreciate your patience, enthusiasm, and support. The Board and Committee members are consistently volunteering their free time and are working tirelessly behind the scenes to make this vision a reality, and we are grateful for the trust you have placed in us. Thank you for your continued support of RCPC! The Ben Hawes Committee

12/8/2024:

Hello all, I hope this holiday season has been a wonderful time for you and your families, and that you're finding places to play despite the chilly weather. As we enter December, I wanted to update you on the Ben Hawes Park Pickleball Complex, a project that the Board and Design & Fundraising Committees have been working hard to bring to life. Project Update The project is progressing as planned, with the complex set to be completed and ready for play in 2025. Lose Design has been working since late-September, to complete the official construction documents based on the Design Committee’s concept drawing (see below). These documents include detailed technical specifications and will be used by the City of Owensboro for the bidding process. This has been a longer portion of the overall process, but we have been told to expect this phase to be completed by the end of this month, after which final reviews will be conducted by RCPC and the City. Fundraising Progress The Fundraising Committee is preparing for a comprehensive campaign to secure corporate sponsorships and engage our membership. At the end of October, we shared the membership pledge levels approved by the committee. If you missed it, here’s a quick recap: Pledge Levels: Members can contribute upfront, annually over 4 years, or monthly over 48 months. Recognition: Contributors will be honored on a commemorative plaque at the facility entrance. Pledging Platform: Transactions will be handled through the RCPC website for ease of use, automatic payments, automated receipt/tax information emailed to you, and administrative efficiency. In conjunction with the construction drawings being completed, we’ll formally launch the membership pledge campaign during a thoughtful kickoff event (at a local location like: The Blue Grass Museum, Green River Distillery, or some equivalent) complete with a meal, celebration, Q&A, and volunteers on-site to help members use the website to complete your pledge. Stay tuned for more details on the date and location. Meanwhile, the committee is making great strides in securing corporate naming sponsors that will make the bulk of the total pledge amount. While these discussions are ongoing and sensitive, we’re very encouraged by the positive progress and already have secured numerous commitments. As such, the fundraising committee appreciates your understanding if not as many updates are available until agreements are finalized and in place. Stay Informed As always, for updates, visit the Ben Hawes Facility Updates and Timelines page on the RCPC website. If you have questions or need more details, please feel free to reach out to the Board or members of the Design and Fundraising Committees. Thank you for your patience and support as we work together to make this project a reality. We’re excited to get this complex built for the RCPC membership and the local pickleball community. I look forward to celebrating this milestone with you all. Wishing you and your families a joyful holiday season! Warm regards, Alex Ross President, RCPC

9/20/2024: After discussion with community stakeholders and officials, with approval of the Design Committee, the approved final concept plan for the Ben Hawes Park Pickleball Complex is pictured below.

8/29/2024: RCPC and City of Owensboro representative held a public meeting to discuss with private citizens of Owensboro on the Ben Hawes Park Pickleball Complex. Topics ranged from aesthetics, noise, traffic, growth potential, amenities, timelines, etc. Ideas and recommendations were taken in by The City, RCPC, and Lose Design for potential integration and consideration. 

8/20/2024: RCPC, in conjunction with Amanda Rogers (Parks and Rec) and Marc Bond (Lose Design), released the final conceptual design for the Ben Hawes Park Pickleball Complex to the City of Owensboro officials at the City Commissioner Meeting. Commission Meeting and Final Conceptual Drawing are below:

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/hSkU1xd3cd1bmWr4/

8/9/2024: The Ben Hawes Committee received the final concept plan and official opinion of cost from Lose Design (via The City of Owensboro). Details will be shared to membership when given approval by the City of Owensboro (~1-2 weeks). The Fundraising Committee was given release to begin their required activities.

7/11/2024: The Ben Hawes Committee met with Lose Design and the City of Owensboro to discuss the official recommendations provided by the Design Committee. High level costs were discussed. Minor changes to design were approved to mitigate cost. Lose Design will turn around official opinion of cost and drawings in 2-3 weeks.

6/20/2024: The Design Committee's official recommendations, markups, and examples were sent to The City of Owensboro for their review.

• Ben Hawes Pickleball Facility - Official RCPC Design Committee Recommendations and Examples.pdf

6/19/2024: Design Committee met to discuss shade, fencing, colors, etc. Approved recommendations:

1. There will be a second gathering area on the east side of the facility (between the warm up area and the championship courts.)
2. Court colors will be gray (outside), blue (service areas), and red (kitchen).
3. Courts will be, at a minimum, 34' x 64' in total dimension. Championship courts will be larger.
4. Warm up area configuration was altered and an additional skinny singles court was added.
5. Fencing will open up from base line to base line for championship courts.
6. New gathering area will have a bar top along the east fence line; along with bar top seating.
7. Shade and seating examples were selected as well.

6/12/2024: The Design Committee met to discuss the first conceptual drawing provided from Lose Design. Topics of discussion were on: Placement/number of championship court(s), shade structures, fencing configurations, etc. Approved recommendations: 

1. There will be (2) two championship courts by the gathering area.
   1. Bleacher seating for the championship courts.
2. There will be a "warm up area" in the northeast corner of the facility. This area will include:
   1. (2) Two dinking nets with kitchen lines.
   2. A skinny singles court.
   3. A warm up wall.
3. There will be (2) rectangular shade structures (with seating under them) per pod "aisle".
4. 10' fencing will be on the west and south ends of the facility perimeter (with windscreens.)
   1. There will be a opening/gate at the south end of the far left pod aisle.
5. Each pod of courts will be individually fenced by 4-5' fencing.
   1. The openings into each court will be at the net line.
6. All courts will be the same color combination. Colors TBD.
7. All fencing will be black.

**Rough Sketch Up Below**

6/5/2024: The Ben Hawes Committee received the first concept of the facility from Lose Design. This first pass design will now go to the Ben Hawes Design Committee for edits/additions/recommendations.

5/17/2024: Design committee survey completed. Top Ten design recommendations and Top Five court colors are below. The committee will take these preferences, work up examples, and brainstorm how they would be incorporated into the Ben Hawes design. NOTE: These preferences can change depending on committee discussions, City and Lose feedback on cost and feasibility.

 

5/2/2024: First design committee meeting was held at Merchant Centre Court to discuss upcoming renderings from Lose Design. Survey was sent out afterwards to establish priorities for the facilities (amenities, court colors, structures, etc.).

4/9/2024: RCPC and the City of Owensboro held a project kickoff meeting, at Ben Hawes Park, with Lose Design representatives to go over facility goals, timelines, etc. Lose Design will take this high level meeting to create renderings for the City of Owensboro and our Design Committee to review and provide input/recommendations for the final concept plan. Lose Design expectations are 4-5 weeks to provide said renderings.

2/8/2024: RCPC and the City of Owensboro selected Lose Design as the architecture and design partner for the Ben Hawes Pickleball Facility project. 

• Lose Design 24005-Pickleball Proposal Contract - REV 3-18-24 - Fully Signed.pdf
  
• Owensboro KY - Ben Hawes Park Pickleball Complex - Lose Design.pdf
  

2/2/2024: RCPC and the City of Owensboro conducted interviews with the final two responding architect firms: Hafer Design and Lose Design.

1/24/2024: RCPC and the City of Owensboro conducted an interview with one of the three responding architect firms: Urban Fabric Architecture and Planning.

1/14/2024: RCPC and the City of Owensboro received initial, service proposals and qualifications from architecture and civil engineering firms. Three responses were received from: Hafer Design, Urban Fabric Architecture and Planning, and Lose Design.

1/10/2024: At the January 2024 RCPC Board Meeting, RCPC created a "Ben Hawes Committee" to be co-chaired by Alex Ross (President) and Paula Hayden (Secretary). The Ben Hawes Committee will be comprised of two subcommittees: a "Fundraising Committee" co-chaired by Jeremy Edge and Drew Cunningham -and- a "Design Committee" co-chaired by Bretnea Harvey Amy Hartz and Rick Lancaster. Decisions made by the sub-committees with be brought to the overall Ben Hawes Committee for review and relayed to the City of Owensboro and respective partners.

12/15/2023: The Partnership Agreement was fully executed by RCPC President, Alex Ross, and City of Owensboro Mayor, Tom Watson.

• Fully Executed Ben Hawes Pickleball Facility Partnership Agreement_000436.pdf
  

12/11/2023: With a final vote of 252 (YES) / 7 (NO), the Partnership Agreement was approved for execution by the River City Pickleball Club membership.

• River City Pickleball Partnership Agreement.pdf
  

12/10/2023-12/11/2023: Online vote held for 24 hours, following the conclusion of the Special All Club Meeting, to approve or reject the Partnership Agreement.

12/10/2023: Special All Club Meeting held at Merchant Centre Court to present the Partnership Agreement to the membership.

• RCPC Pickleball Facility Slide Deck (FINAL VERSION FOR RELEASE).pptx
  

12/5/2023: The City of Owensboro, at the monthly City Commissioner meeting, unanimously approves the Partnership Agreement to build, fundraise, and manage a pickleball facility at Ben Hawes Park.

1/1/2023-12/5/2023: Early, high level discussions with the City of Owensboro about a partnership to build more pickleball courts.