BUCYRUS — Aumiller Park is now home to three pickleball courts, two newly renovated tennis courts and space for more courts.
According to Bucyrus Mayor Jeff Reser, the project took longer to complete than originally planned due to weather conditions.
“It rained a lot last year and again this year,” Reser said. “Richland Seal Coating from Mansfield did the work and they needed at least five days of dry weather to create the courts.”
Rick Baker of Richland Seal Coating said they have been dealing with rain for a year and a half.
“We were finally able to get five to seven days of dry weather in a row at the beginning of this month,” Baker said.
The tennis courts were dedicated in honor of long-time tennis enthusiast Sam Babback in 2002.
“We plan to re-dedicate them in Sam’s honor when we get a new plaque,” Reser said.
City auditor Joyce Schifer said Sabback taught her how to play tennis.
“And years later, he taught my youngest son how to play. He would give lessons for free. He just loved the game so much,” she said.
Reser said the tennis courts were in such bad shape that no one had played on them for a few years.
“We are excited to finally have beautiful courts for people to play on,” Reser said.
Reser referred to local resident Deb Metzger as the queen of pickleball.
“I love to play. Its good exercise but you don’t have to run as much as you do with tennis,” Metzger said.
Metzger and her friends that play, said the game is like tennis with paddles instead of rackets, like tennis and ping pong with a Wiffle ball.
Reser said a short tutorial on pickleball is available on the City of Bucyrus Facebook page.