Columbus residents question $8.8 million pickleball facility city funding

COLUMBUS, Ga. (WTVM) - Some residents said they do not think additional funding for a pickleball facility in Uptown is money well spent, as the Columbus City Council moves forward with funding.Councilors recently added $1.7 million to the $7.1 million project, bringing the total to $8.8 million. The total construction project cost will be $9.1 million. That includes City funding of $8.8 million and Columbus Pickleball Association of approximately $300,000, according to Director of Codes and Inspections, Ryan Pruitt. Residents said there are more pressing problems that need funding and questioned why so much money is going toward a pickleball facility.Resident questions spendingOne Columbus taxpayer said the city is catering more to Uptown than to the rest of Columbus.“I think pickleball is just going to be another fad that ends up looking dilapidated or worn down. Here today, gone tomorrow. Ain’t nobody playing pickleball,” Columbus resident Justin Allen said.Allen said he is frustrate