South Georgia State College’s Waycross campus had a crowd gather Thursday morning to cut the ribbon on the school’s new pickleball court.
Chamber of Commerce president Suzanna Woodall welcomed the attendees before introducing SGSC interim president Dr. Greg Tanner to deliver opening remarks about the first pickleball courts in the city.
“I do appreciate everyone who has worked on this,” Tanner said.
He thanked the community partners that assisted in the creation of the facility.
“If you were to come out here and look at this facility, it did not look anything like this,” he continued.
After Tanner, Damon Barrett, Chief Executive Officer at Memorial Satilla Health took to the podium.
“With Memorial Satilla, we’re really thoughtful with our investments,” Barrett said, “and really focus on things that will improve the health and wellness of the community.”
Barrett went on to mention the positive relationship between MSH and SGSC via the school’s health and nursing programs.
“They’re really building the future of healthcare professionals,” Barrett said. “They’re not only training the students to have careers that are longlasting, well-paid, but these students are going to jump into the community and are going to serve and, really promote health and wellness in the community,” Barrett concluded.
After all remarks, Tanner and Barrett were given ceremonial paddles, and joined in serving the court’s ceremonial first point before the ribbon was officially cut.
During the ceremony, Randy Yond, chairman of the James M. Dye Foundation golf tournament fundraiser, was recognized.
The installation of the court is part of a broader revitalization of the SGSC campus, in addition to renovations of the administrative building and classrooms. The campus nature trail is next to be renovated.
The courts will be open from sunrise to sunset. Once the court lights are functioning, people also can play at night.
