08.14.2023

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Today’s Forecast

49º | Sunny | 5% chance of rain
Sunrise 7:24 a.m. | Sunset 5:07 p.m.

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Who’s ready for championship pickleball?

New pickleball courts — plus, where to play around Richmond

RICtoday_PickleballCourts_PounceyTractRendering

A rendering of the upcoming Pouncey Tract facility | Photo courtesy Henrico County

More pickleball is on its way to Henrico. The county announced that it’s building a 12-court pickleball complex at Pouncey Tract Park.

The development will include two championship courts with spectator seating and LED lighting. Henrico’s Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the $4.4 million project. Plans for the complex indicate the addition of a 103-space parking lot and road improvements.

With the championship courts, the county aims to attract more regional and national pickleball tournaments, adding to the area’s position as a sports tourism hotspot.

Pickleball has skyrocketed in popularity over the last few years. Henrico built its first courts in 2018 at Pouncey Tract Park. In the years since, multiple courts have popped up, including an indoor private facility in Chesterfield and another planned for Regency.

RICtoday_PickleballCourts_BryanPark — Pickleball is popular at Bryan Park.
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Photo by RICtoday

Looking to up your game? Here’s a few places you can play pickleball around town. Pro tip: Check this website to confirm hours and details for each park.

Bryan Park | Find four courts off the main road as you head towards the soccer fields.

Bill Robinson Park | Enjoy two outdoor courts near Church Hill.

Forest Hill Park | There are six courts at this Southside park.

Broad Rock Sports Complex | There are six outdoor courts with lights at this park.

Hotchkiss Field Community Center | There are six courts at this Northside center.

The Springs Recreation Center | The Highland Springs center has eight courts.

Powhatan Community Center | Henrico | There are two outdoor asphalt courts available first come, first served.

Sandston Recreation Area | Henrico | You’ll find two outdoor courts in Sandston near Richmond International Airport.

Moody Middle School | Henrico | Bring your own net to play on these four outdoor courts — be sure to avoid school hours.

Pouncey Tract Park | Henrico | There are already 12 courts at the park.

Deep Run Park | Henrico | There are three indoor wood courts at the rec center — portable nets are available upon request.

Pole Green Park | Hanover | Find the courts close to the dog park.

Harry Daniel Park | Chesterfield | There are six lighted Iron Bridge Pickleball Courts at this park.

Use the map below to find the spot closest to you and check out other outdoor opportunities with our full guide to River City parks.

Map

Poll

Have you played pickleball?

A. Yes — I love it
B. Yes, but it’s not for me
C. I’d like to try it
D. No

Let us know

Events

Monday, Aug. 14

VCU Men’s Soccer vs. Akron | Monday, Aug. 14 | 7-9 p.m. | Sports Backers Stadium, 100 Ave. of Champions, Richmond | $0-$10 | Get an early look at the Rams team at this exhibition match.
Skywatch | Monday, Aug. 14 | 9-10 p.m. | RPL Westover Hills Branch, 1408 Westover Hills Blvd., Richmond | Free | Look to the stars with the Richmond Astronomical Society — members bring their telescopes and give expert insight into celestial objects.

Tuesday, Aug. 15

Flying Squirrels vs. Harrisburg Senators | Tuesday, Aug. 15 | 6:35 p.m. | The Diamond, 3001 N. Arthur Ashe Blvd., Richmond | $10-$25 | The first 1,000 fans ages 15 and up will get a free metallic cowboy hat in honor of Salute to Country Queens night.

Wednesday, Aug. 16

Office of Community Wealth Building Information Session | Wednesday, Aug. 16-Wednesday, Dec. 27 | Times vary | RPL East End Branch, 1200 N. 25th St., Richmond | Free | Get all the info you need for a job search at this library session.
Give Back & Bingo Night | Wednesday, Aug. 16 | 5-9 p.m. | Intermission Beer Company, 10089 Brook Rd., Unit A, Glen Allen | Cost of purchase | Enjoy bingo and brews to support Concert Ballet of Virginia.

Thursday, Aug. 17

Flowers After 5: River City Band | Thursday, Aug. 17 | 5-9 p.m. | Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, 1800 Lakeside Ave., Richmond | $0-$17 | Enjoy a night in the garden with bluegrass tunes from a local group.
“Donnie Darko” | Thursday, Aug. 17 | 7 p.m. | The Byrd Theatre, 2908 W. Cary St., Richmond | $8 | Fun fact: Director Richard Kelly grew up in Midlothian and based the setting of this horror film on the area.

Plan your August

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Open

Franchise boutique Monkee’s is now open in Carytown Exchange. The shop hosted a grand opening last week and now has hours each day. It joins Torchy’s Tacos and Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams on the newly-developed block.

Coming Soon

A sweet new business is coming to 17th Street in Shockoe. OMG OCPs bakery will serve owner Erin Kennedy’s specialty oatmeal cream pies in addition to nitro cold brew. Richmonders will be able to sample the array of flavors when the shop opens, likely in the next month. (Richmond BizSense)

Edu

Chesterfield broke ground on a new middle school last week. Temporarily known as the West Area Middle School, it’ll be the first three-story school in the county. It’s expected to welcome students in August 2025.

Arts

Join an evening of fun and support the local arts community on Friday, Aug. 25 at 6 p.m. at Art Works. The evening will include three shows, an installation and performance, and a silent auction to support the upcoming Altar America Project.

Sports

Former VCU Baseball pitcher Connor Gillispie was back at the Diamond last week, this time facing off against the Flying Squirrels. Gillispie was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles and now plays for its Double-A affiliate, the Bowie Baysox. (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Ranked

The River City made Livability’s list of 25 Best Places to Live in the Southeast. The article cited our diverse community, neighborhoods like the Fan, and award-winning restaurants as reasons for our desirability.

Shop

Last chance: MANSCAPED’s annual Summer Sale ends in just two days. Now’s your chance to take advantage of 20% off + free shipping site-wide to save big on their best-selling electric trimmers, premium grooming kits, and UltraPremium formulations. Activate your discount.*

Culture

Join the farmers market madness

There’s $15,000 on the table in the 2023 America’s Farmers Market Celebration

Buckets of flowers for sale under a tent.

We can’t wait for fall flowers at the RVA Big Market. | Photo by @maurv2

The bright burst of a freshly picked blueberry in your mouth, the excitement of seeing the first Hanover tomato of the season, a warm loaf of bread nestled into your tote bag — just thinking about our favorite local farmers market fills us with pride.

It’s time to turn that appreciation into a vote — so that the entire nation can know Richmond has the best farmers markets around.

The 2023 America’s Farmers Market Celebration (AFMC) is open to votes through Monday, Sept. 18 to find a “People’s Choice” farmers market as the top-endorsed market in the country. The prize? Up to $15,000 for the top five markets to spend on marketing, communication, and other needs. There are a few Richmond markets in the running, including Carytown Farmers Market.

Need a refresher on Richmond’s finest? We’ve got a guide to local farmers markets.

Cast your vote

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The Wrap

Robin Schwartzkopf in a red button down shirt

Today’s edition by:
Robin

From the editor

I’ve tried my hand at pickleball, but haven’t gone all in yet. If you’re looking to get the basics, my parents had a great time at a multi-week clinic at the Weinstein JCC.

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