Courtesy Photo This rendering shows what a proposed pavilion would look like when it is built at the new Bay View Sports Complex in Alpena. This year, new pickleball, tennis, and basketball courts will be built. The pavilion is expected to be constructed in 2026.

ALPENA — Phase one of a large improvement project at Bay View Park in Alpena will commence soon, and when complete, it will offer improved amenities for people who enjoy outdoor sports and recreation.

In the coming weeks, demolition of the basketball and tennis courts will begin, and then the Friends of the Alpena Courts and Alpena officials will begin construction of new tennis, pickleball, and basketball courts. New lighting is planned for the park and the work is expected to be complete by July 1, if things go smoothly.

Phase two of the project will include the construction of a new pavilion that will be built by Mike Kendziorski, who constructed the wooden bridge and water tower at Duck Park.

When phase one is complete, three regulation-size tennis courts, five pickleball courts, and three basketball courts will be in place, each with new surfaces. New LED lights will illuminate the entire complex and new fencing surrounding the tennis and pickleball areas will be erected. Windscreens surrounding the tennis and pickleball areas will also be installed.

The total cost of phase one of the project is approximately $340,000 with the project being paid for with local donations, as well as a generous $100,000 grant from the Alpena Youth and Recreation Commission.

The commission allocates tax revenue from the county-wide property tax earmarked for recreation.

Ron Fusina, a member of the friends group and point person for the project, said the increasing popularity of pickleball and a shortage of available courts for people to play were the primary reasons the project got off the ground. He said the friends group made improvements at McRae Park and maintains the courts, and the plan is to do the same at Bay View.

Fusina said the park is in dire need of a refresh, and he believes the location of the complex and the amenities it offers, will help accommodate current players and new ones, no matter if it is pickleball, basketball, or tennis.

“The current Bay View Park tennis and basketball courts are in disrepair,” he said. “The tennis courts have multiple cracks and aging fencing surrounding them. The basketball courts are not regulation size and are in desperate need of re-surfacing, and the hoop systems are worn and outdated. We believe that having the new Bay View Sports Complex, in such a highly visible location in Alpena, will provide the Alpena community a source of pride by promoting both physical and social activities.”

To help cover the costs of the project, a Patronicity fundraising campaign is ongoing until May 3.

Alpena used Patronicity, which is similar to GoFundMe, to help raise funds for the dog park, the fish mural at the pocket park, and other local projects in Alpena.

If the $50,000 goal is achieved, the Michigan Economic Development Corp. will match that amount. People who wish to donate can go to the Patronicity website and search for Bay View Sports Complex to get to the donation page.

If more than $50,000 is raised, the additional funds will be used for phase two of the project, which is expected to be completed in 2026.

Fusina said all donors contributing $250 or more will be recognized at the new Bay View Sports Complex on a donor recognition board.

“This very worthwhile project and one that we can all be proud of,” Fusina said.

The new complex won’t be the only new addition to the popular park where the city’s bandshell is also located. The city is utilizing grant funding from the state to build a public restroom facility that will also include a small pavilion.

That project is also expected to be completed this year.

Steve Schulwitz can be reached at 989-358-5689 or sschulwitz@TheAlpenaNews.com. Follow him on X @ss_alpenanews.com.