Columbia County will take ownership of the Petersburg Racquet Club effective May 1, after commissioners approved the $1.5 million purchase during their April 18 regular meeting.
PRC’s owners, Craig and Gail Jones announced the sale on the club’s Facebook page. There was also a news release from Columbia County on April 19.
Cassidy Harris, Public Relations Manager for the county, said the purchase was paid for through the county’s Ad Valorem Capital Project Fund.
The purchase was not listed on the agenda for the meeting, which was available on April 14.
“This was an Executive Session item, which means it was voted on during the Executive Session portion of the meeting. It was not added at the meeting,” Harris explained.
There is a discrepancy between the information released by the owners and the information from the county.
The owners say the pool and pool memberships are not part of the plan. However, the release from the county said the pool area will be closed and converted to pickleball courts.
“Due to the rise in popularity and growing demand of pickleball in the county, it has been determined that the pool area is best suited for new pickleball courts to make this a true racquet club that services both tennis and pickleball,” the county release explained.
Harris confirmed the information released by the county is accurate.
When the sale is completed, PRC will become part of the county Parks and Recreation system.
“Petersburg Racquet Club has a long, rich history of tennis in Columbia County, and the county is excited about the future of this purchase,” said County Manager, Scott Johnson. “PRC will become part of the county’s Community Services Division under Parks, Recreation, and Events and will be open for public play.”
Currently, PRC operates with paid memberships for families, individuals, juniors, and seniors. The county’s news release said staff are working on how memberships will be handled.
“Once this has been determined, the public will be notified of any potential membership opportunities,” said the release.
Craig and Gail Jones have operated PRC, located at The Pass, for 25 years.
