Starkville Delays Approval of Pickleball Usage Agreement for County Safe Room
Starkville’s pickleball plans hit a snag as county supervisors delay agreement
Starkville’s hopes of bringing pickleball to the county’s safe room have hit a roadblock as county supervisors have delayed approving a usage agreement with the city. The agreement, which has been in the works for weeks, would allow the city’s parks department to manage indoor recreation in the safe room between emergencies.
The original draft of the agreement would have allowed the city to set up temporary pickleball markings and netting in the safe room, with the city splitting the cost of utilities with the county. However, an updated draft now requires the city to also pay up to $25,000 for safety and maintenance requirements in the building.
Mayor Lynn Spruill expressed her support for the revised agreement, stating that the city residents already contribute a significant percentage of county taxes. County board attorney Rob Roberson presented the updated version of the agreement to the board on Monday, but supervisors voted to wait on approval until further review by County Administrator Delois Farmer and Emergency Management Director Kristen Campanella.
The $2 million safe room, completed in 2019, is designed to protect up to 1,500 people during an emergency. While it has been used exclusively for emergencies and as an election precinct, using it as a multipurpose space has been discussed since its construction.
Despite the delay in approving the agreement, Supervisor John Montgomery expressed confidence that the issues would be resolved, and action could be taken at the next board meeting. The county retains absolute rights over the usage of the space, with emergency situations taking precedence over any other use.
While Mayor Spruill expressed disappointment in the delay, she remains hopeful that the safe room will be made available for residents of the city and the county. The board has tasked Roberson with creating a general contract for other entities that may want to rent the storm shelter in the future.
In the meantime, the Starkvegas Juneteenth Committee for Unity has been granted approval to host a health fair in the safe room this summer, even without a general contract in place. County Administrator Farmer will be present to monitor the event.
Overall, the agreement between Starkville and the county for pickleball in the safe room is still in progress, with both parties working towards a resolution that benefits the community.
