Pickleball players compete during the 2019 Cranberry Township Pickleball Association’s tournament at Graham Park. Township supervisors recently approved a $1.7 million expansion project. Butler Eagle File Photo

CRANBERRY TWP — Supervisors moved forward on the township’s $1.7 million pickleball expansion project — including the purchase an all-weather “air dome” for the court.

The board recently awarded a contract to C.H. and D. Enterprises for $1,236,884. The dome will then be cooperatively purchased from Yeadon Fabric Domes for $476,064.

The comprehensive expansion project will replace the existing tennis courts at the UPMC Passavant Sportsplex in Graham Park with six new pickleball courts. New tennis courts will then be built over the Sportsplex’s basketball courts, and new basketball courts will replace existing bocce courts.

“And the dome allows for that seasonal play,” township manager Dan Santoro said referring to the colder months of the year.

Santoro explained that matches for the growing Cranberry Township Pickleball Association usually halts from October to April, but the new all-weather air dome will keep members playing year-round.

According to Pete Geis, parks and recreation director, the expansion is expected to open the pickleball association to about 500 new members, and membership is open now.

The group also offers an ongoing “Pickleball Academy” for beginning and advancing players. Registration for membership and training is available through the township’s website.

“It’s a new year,” Geis said. “Everyone’s excited to get back out there.”

Construction on the expansion project is planned for this spring.