Pickleball courts at Chaffee Crossing are done and ready for players. Minor work outside of the area will be completed before an official ribbon cutting occurs.

Fort Chaffee Redevelopment Authority Marketing Director Lorie Robertson told the Board of Trustees last week the project was coming along nicely.

“Everything is finished inside the fence, meaning the acrylic has been applied to the courts and the nets are up,” Robertson said. “It is amazing the transformation that has happened to that piece of property. It is absolutely amazing and the interest is unbelievable.”

Robertson said fence work still needs to be done and concrete has to be poured for parking spaces, but the main playing surface has already been a popular attraction in the area.

Local pickleball players started coming to the courts, Robertson said, right after it was announced on the Chaffee Crossing Facebook page that the nets had been installed.

“They showed up like bees to honey,” Robertson said.

Once totally complete, a tentative ribbon cutting is scheduled for Oct. 22 with the Western Arkansas Pickleball Association planning events Oct. 26.

Robertson said there’s been a lot of excitement and the city departments have been “wonderful to work with” and “very supportive.”

An agreement was made at the end of May between the city of Fort Smith and FCRA to create the courts. The redevelopment authority would “front” the cost to develop the property, spending no more than $64,000, and the city would purchase the land for inclusion in the Parks and Recreation Department.

Deputy City Administrator Jeff Dingman previous said funding was identified and had been earmarked for senior citizen activities.

Anyone can play pickleball — a combination of tennis, ping-pong and badminton — but it has been touted as an easy way for older residents to stay active without serious risk of injury.

Courts are open to the public. WAPA members usually play on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, starting around 5:30 p.m., according to the WAPA Facebook page. Once lights are installed play will be until 9 p.m.

“All will be welcome — Beginners, intermediate, and advanced player,” a comment on the page says. “You will be able to observe and learn from all of us here at WAPA Pickleball — Chaffee Crossing Pickleball Complex.”

The organization expects to schedule clinics and lessons for those who want to learn the sport. Paddles and balls will be provided, but participants may bring their own.

The courts are located at 7720 Mahogany Avenue near the stone arch.