Dothan opens year-round pickleball complex with more than 25 courts

More than 25 covered courts at Rip Hewes Stadium give Dothan something rare in the Southeast: a weather-resistant pickleball hub built to host play every month of the year. City officials say the new complex was designed not just for neighborhood recreation, but for the kind of reliability that can support tournaments, group travel and special events.

The city says the project took more than a year and a half of planning, design, site evaluations and visits to other pickleball facilities across the region. The new courts are going up on the north side of Rip Hewes Stadium, replacing aging, unused tennis courts. Dothan’s pickleball complex page says the sport now has more than 40 million players nationwide, and the city has seen enough demand in Dothan and surrounding communities to build for it at scale.

That scale is the headline. The complex includes 25 covered courts and one court designated for championship play, a layout that gives Dothan more than a casual recreational upgrade. With all-weather access, the city says it can host local league play, major tournaments and special events without being tied to the heat or rain that can interrupt outdoor courts in much of the Southeast.

Dothan Leisure Services Director Billy Powell said the complex should create recreation opportunities for residents while also drawing tourism. On the city’s website, Powell said the facility gives Dothan the chance to welcome players from throughout the Wiregrass and beyond, while bringing visitors and their economic impact into the city. Dothan estimates that impact will exceed $2 million annually. The project has also been described as a team effort involving City Manager Randy Morris, Mayor Mark Saliba, city commissioners, Houston County and Visit Dothan. General Services Director Andrew Love said his department is excited to manage the project on behalf of Dothan Leisure Services and the city.

Construction has been underway for a year, and the opening ceremony is scheduled for July 11 at 10 a.m. The public is invited to the grand opening at the 25-covered-court Pickleball Complex at Rip Hewes Stadium. A tournament will follow later that day, with men’s and women’s doubles only, start times at 1:30 p.m. CST or later, and registration listed at $45 plus a $5 event fee. Southern Pickleball is set to run the opening-day tournament, which will also feature vendors, music and food.

The numbers behind the project show how seriously Dothan is betting on pickleball. City commissioners approved a $6.4 million contract with Lewis Construction, and Houston County added $200,000. With a championship court, covered play and a grand opening built around competition, Dothan is positioning Rip Hewes Stadium as more than a local amenity. It is aiming to become a year-round stop for players who want dependable courts and a reason to stay.