YOUR BUSINESS AUTHORITY
Springfield, MO
YOUR BUSINESS AUTHORITY
Springfield, MO
Drury University is investing in the booming sport of pickleball with the assistance of members of the O'Reilly family, including one who is a professional player in the sport.
The university yesterday announced in a news release plans to create an outdoor recreation complex called the Panther Pad. It would have pickleball courts, revitalized basketball and tennis courts, and a new pavilion grill and beverage area.
Donors to the project include Austin O’Reilly, Matt and Ashley O’Reilly, W. Justin French and Lindsay O’Reilly French, David and Stacey O’Reilly, and Pamela O’Reilly. Austin O’Reilly, founder of Springfield biomedical and genetic testing firm Dynamic DNA Laboratories LLC, is involved in professional pickleball play.
“Pickleball is a sport for everyone. Playing it once will offer a glimpse into a new array of lifestyle benefits that you might otherwise have thought were lost or unapproachable," O'Reilly said in the release. "We couldn’t be more excited to support Drury University with the building of a new state-of-the-art outdoor recreation complex, the Panther Pad.”
Kansas City-based McConnell & Associates, which builds sports courts, will construct the Panther Pad designed by Springfield's Oke-Thomas & Associates Inc. The project cost was undisclosed by school officials.
Construction on the project, located north of Olin Library and adjacent to the recently turfed Sunderland Field, is expected to start in early September. Plans are being made for a spring dedication ceremony and opening match, according to the release.
Officials said in the release that the facility "will not only include one of the first official pickleball courts on a college campus, but will be the nation’s premier pickleball venue for intercollegiate competition."
Pickleball has been called America’s fastest-growing sport. The number of people playing pickleball grew by 159% over three years to 8.9 million in 2022, according to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association.
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I think Drury would want this represented as a gift and not something that they are spending money on.(or investing in) While it is true Drury has many needs, this is a gift made out of interest and passion for a sport, by a group of people.,,,,,,not something Drury sought out..
It is always interesting how one word can set a different tone for a story.