Meeting Notes: Nitro council OKs pickleball complex payment, hears info on possible tournament

What happened : Council members voted to approve the final payout of $54,220.40 on a construction contract at the Nitro Athletic Complex. The payment covers costs associated with the enclosure on the complex’s pickleball courts.

Background : A ribbon cutting for the nine-court enclosed pickleball complex was held in May 2025. The largest such facility in the state, the pickleball complex has hosted several nationally-recognized pickleball tournaments, drawing hundreds of visitors to the region.

Quotable : “If you ever drive by the pickleball complex, it’s packed,” Nitro Mayor Dave Casebolt said. He noted that the pickleball courts have become so popular that there are sometimes people waiting in line to use them.

Tournament talks : During Tuesday’s meeting, Nitro Convention and Visitors Bureau Director Joe Stevens told council members that he and members of the city's Parks and Recreation department are in talks with the Southern Pickleball Association about bringing a new tournament to the complex. The competition, for individuals aged 50 and over, would welcome athletes from several southern states to Nitro in June.

Heat units installed : In an update on a separate project at the Nitro Athletic Conference, City Manager Kim Reed told council members that two of five heating units had been installed at the facility. Funding for the majority of the installation project came from donations from state legislators, officials said. Councilman at Large Andy Shamblin, who also serves as a member of the West Virginia House of Delegates, said he donated $2,000 to the project, while Sen. Glenn Jeffries (R-Putnam) and Sen. Kevan Bartlett (R-Kanawha) each donated $10,000 towards the endeavor.

Ordinances : Council members approved on second reading 10 ordinances amending portions of the city code. The amended sections, which include Chapter 72 Sections 72.086-72.095, deal mainly with city laws relating to vehicle registrations and licensing.

Planning : At the recommendation of the Planning Commission, council members approved exclusion petitions for portions of Fredrick Street, Dogwood Street and Michigan Avenue, respectively. City Recorder Rich Hively said members of the Planning Commission visited the sites and spoke to neighbors of abutting properties before making the recommendation to approve the petitions.

What's next : Council members will hold their next regularly scheduled meeting at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026.