Page 14 - Classically Carolina 2017

Camden scores with

new tennis, pickleball

sports complex

C lighted.

Camden has always been a tennis-oriented town. and all will be
A drive by a number of city parks will reveal quite
a few courts, most of which are busy daily.
In addition, the
The recent groundbreaking on the city of
complex will feature a club house/pro shop/office/
Camden’s new $3 million Classically Carolina
public restroom facility, a large front porch for
Tennis Complex is a logical next step, if not a
milestone, for
than 3,500 feet of lighted walking trails and
sidewalks around and through the complex.
the city. shade, more than 150 parking spaces and more
Designed “This tennis complex will bring new life to this
by the award- area of Camden, serving as an anchor in our
winning downtown district while providing renovated
landscape, recreational space for our residents,” Camden
architecture Mayor Alfred Mae Drakeford said. “So many
and land folks are already behind this tennis initiative,
planning firm and we will be creating more opportunities for
Kenneth B. local residents and businesses to support the
Simmons tennis complex vision through sponsorships and
Associates (KBSA) of Columbia, S.C., the state- memorials.”
of-the-art complex will feature 16 tennis courts, With 16 more tennis courts available for public
two of which will be stadium courts. The stadium use, the complex will be a welcome addition to
courts will have canopied bleachers for spectator the city’s inventory of courts. But the addition of
seating. The complex will also include 14 the pickleball courts is a helpful and foresighted
pickleball courts. All courts will be asphalt surface addition. Pickleball, which is played with a

By Jim Tatum

26 / Camden ~ Classically Carolina