Dec. 9, 2025, 4:12 a.m. CT
- The city of Tuscaloosa recently opened two new outdoor recreational facilities for basketball and pickleball.
- The Police Athletic League (PAL) Gym was renovated and now includes two new outdoor basketball courts.
- Eight new pickleball courts, complete with lighting and security cameras, are now open at Northridge.
- City officials believe these new facilities will foster community engagement and physical fitness for residents of all ages.
The city of Tuscaloosa has opened a pair of outdoor recreational facilities this fall, places where children and adults can have fun while keeping physically fit.
One of the facilities gives kids the opportunity to sharpen their basketball skills, while the other gives people the opportunity to play the popular new sport of pickleball.
Here are the details:
Police Athletic League basketball courts
On Oct. 24, the city of Tuscaloosa cut the ribbon on the Police Athletic League’s new outdoor basketball courts, which coincided with renovations to the PAL Gymnasium at 3301 25th St.
The PAL Gym upgrades include an updated scoreboard, a refinished court and upgrades in the flooring, the paint, the lighting and the ceilings. A new fire alarm system was also installed.
The indoor improvements were paired with the addition of two new outdoor courts.
Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox said he had a special connection to the PAL Gym project.
“This has been a very personal project to me, because of these young people here,” Maddox said in a Oct. 27 news release. “The reason why I got into public service is because I felt on some level and in some way, I could change my little corner of the world. The longer that I’m in public service, the more I realize that the real change comes from supporting our youth.”
Construction for the project began earlier this year.
Deputy Chief Severn “Sebo” Sanders of the Tuscaloosa Police Department said the PAL Gym project will yield benefits for everyone down the road.
“It’s all about our kids and we have to invest in our kids. Our kids are the future,” said Sanders. “To invest in these courts means a lot. These kids are going to be the leaders of tomorrow.”
The Tuscaloosa Police Athletic League serves hundreds of children annually through programs, which include athletics and educational activities, the release states.
“I know a lot of people look at today as a ribbon cutting for a basketball court; we see basketball courts, we see basketballs, but as someone who’s had basketball impact their life, I see a lot more than a basketball court,” said District 1 City Council member Joe Eatmon.
“I see bridges being built between law enforcement, I see these young people being mentored and their lives being better, I see life-long friendships being developed. Those are all things that I gained, not only from basketball, but from the city of Tuscaloosa,” said Eatmon, who played college basketball and now serves as head basketball coach at Shelton State Community College.
Northridge Pickleball Courts
The city of Tuscaloosa on Oct. 30 held a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Northridge pickleball courts.
The Northridge Pickleball Courts feature eight courts, a 46-vehicle parking lot, along with court accessories. The courts’ amenities include lighting and security cameras.
Pickleball is a sport that combines elements of tennis, ping-pong and badminton, played with a paddle and more durable whiffle ball. The game is played with two or four players on indoor or outdoor courts of badminton size, or a slightly modified tennis court.
“To everyone who pickleball is a passion for you, I hope you feel that today,” said Maddox in a Oct. 30 news release. “This is more than just a place to play pickleball, it shows that if you’re active and engaged and your motives are true and for the right reasons, local government can still work,” he said.
The pickleball courts will also have a shared use path connecting to Buddy Powell Pavilion, the release states.
Construction for the project began earlier this year.
“It’s exciting to hear that people are already using the courts,” said Norman Crow, who represents District 3 on the Tuscaloosa City Council. “There’s an excitement there. Everybody that plays pickleball is passionate and I’m excited that we’re joining this movement to have opportunities in our community.”
Brian Davis, executive director of Tuscaloosa County Park and Recreation Authority, said he knows the pickleball courts will attract many visitors.
“Yes, this is more of a neighborhood destination, but I do think that people around the Southeast look and see where they can go play,” Davis said. “They come and stay for a few days in Tuscaloosa, and I think that’s going to make an impact.”
For more information about pickleball in Tuscaloosa, go to www.tcpara.org/athletics/pickleball.
Reach Jasmine Hollie at JHollie@usatodayco.com. To support her work,please subscribe to The Tuscaloosa News.
