Crews are converting the center courts at McCollum Park into eight permanent pickleball courts, a project that will keep those courts and the park's basketball courts closed through the end of September.

Construction began Aug. 3, the same day the park hosted a grand opening celebration for its completed playground, fitness equipment and pavilion. The court conversion is the final major piece of a broader overhaul backed by a $600,000 Open Space Land Acquisition and Development grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

The center courts were originally designed as flexible-use surfaces, but the Downers Grove Park District said the switch to dedicated pickleball courts reflects the sport's continued popularity, Patch reported. Shade structures are also being installed next to both the new pickleball courts and the existing tennis courts, according to the park district's project page.

The basketball courts are being resurfaced, too.

What's open, what's not

The three tennis courts on the north side and eight existing pickleball courts on the south side will stay open as construction allows, though the south pickleball courts will close for a few days while shade structures go up.

Players looking for alternatives during construction can head to Doerhoefer Park at 4101 Venard Rd. or the Cathy Mahoney Recreation Center at 4500 Belmont Rd. (a pass is required for open gym). Basketball is available at Concord Square Park (Springside & Concord), Doerhoefer Park, Gilbert Park at 1500 Gilbert Ave., O'Brien Park at 6909 S. Dunham Rd. and Sterling & Davis.

The bigger picture

The court work is part of a $2 million renovation of McCollum Park, as we reported Aug. 3. The park, named after former commissioner and volunteer firefighter Ted McCollum, was purchased by the district in 1972 and developed as a premier athletic complex between 1982 and 1985. Governor JB Pritzker announced the OSLAD grant on Dec. 16, 2024.

The park district said it appreciates the community's patience as the work wraps up. Completion is expected by the end of September, though no opening event for the new courts has been announced.