The Jim Lucas Checotah Public Library’s newly finished pickleball courts will be celebrated at 10 a.m., June 29, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. All are invited!
Checotah Mayor Daniel Tarkington said June 29 will be declared “Pickleball Day in Checotah,” and, he and some of the city’s council members plan to play a doubles game.
The pickleball courts will be first-come, first-served for the public and are not affected by the library’s open/closed hours. There are lights for evening play, and library cardholders can borrow paddles and balls for free.
Many thanks to all donors and supporters: Oklahoma Department of Libraries, Institute of Museum and Library Services, Friends of the Library, Peoples National Bank of Checotah, Armstrong Bank, First Family Federal Credit Union, the family of Eli Wallace, and Dr. Maurice & Gretchen Payne.
Special thanks to the City of Checotah for providing funds for what has not been covered by the grant and donations.
NOTE: The Library is named after Jim Lucas who won the Pulitzer Prize in 1954 for international reporting and journalism. He was the only journalist ever called to give a briefing at the White House before the President and 100 Congressional leaders.
Media
Muskogee Phoenix (March 26, 2023) - Pickleball popularity creates demand for courts
Jim Lucas Checotah Public Library branch manager Kenneth Matthews said the court is partially funded through a ($9,000) health literacy grant from the Oklahoma Department of Libraries.
Muskogee Phoenix (June 22, 2023) Pickleball arrives at Checotah Library
ChatGPT Article: (June 27, 2023) Jim Lucas Checotah Public Library Prepares for Pickleball Courts Grand Opening with Generous Donation
