BELLAIRE — A sport rapidly growing in popularity will have a home in the Village of Bellaire, and the village is getting help from the state of Ohio in making that happen.

At Thursday evening’s Bellaire Village Council meeting, Councilwoman Janet Richardson read a letter stating the village’s Recreational and Entertainment Complex will receive $200,000 in state funds to help build an eight-court, competition-ready pickleball facility and amphitheater.

The amphitheater will measure 60 feet by 30 feet and will be equipped with electric, lighting and sound allowance features, new restroom facilities, a new concessions building, lighting and a walking trail to surround the perimeter of the complex.

“We’d like to extend our appreciation and thanks to (Ohio Sen. Brian Chavez, R-Marietta) for his support in sitting down with us to discuss our vision to make the Village of Bellaire better,” Richardson said, “and for his offices’ submission request for the funds ultimately awarded to Bellaire for the project.”

The facility will be located at Commerce Park and was designed to expand and build on the health and entertainment opportunities the junior baseball fields already provide, she said.

“The amphitheater and pickleball facility will offer greater opportunities for the Bellaire residents and local schools and will give tourists and visitors a reason to come to Bellaire,” Richardson said.

The project’s estimated cost is $1.5 million and is intended to be completed in five to six phases. The tournament-ready pickleball courts will be the first phase. This will be to ensure Bellaire gets the opportunity to build this facility before any other regional entities do, Richardson said.

“The Village of Bellaire pickleball establishment is a welcome infusion to our village and to Belmont County and will provide a reason for patrons to come to Bellaire,” she said.

Richardson also thanked Bellaire Pickleball LLC and Bill Marinelli, a local pastor and Bellaire Local School District Board of Education member, for donating time and expertise associated with the planning of a pickleball facility.

The village is also working with OMEGA in applying for a grant through Abandoned Mine Lands Economic Revitalization (AMLER) Program with the Department of Natural Resources Division of Mineral Resources Management to complete the funding for the rest of the project.

Bellaire also has a chance to bring a Fall Fest to the village, with the Sinclair Foundation offering to put on the festival. The festival is planned for Oct. 17 from 5-8 p.m. on Belmont Street from 33rd to 34th St. with six large inflatables, artists and farmers market vendors. The village is aiming for families with children in sixth grade younger to participate.

The council raised concerns of the location after hearing of the six inflatables to be put up.

“Can they use the park instead?” Richardson asked.

The council decided the best plan was for Mayor Edward Marling to call the Sinclair Foundation after the meeting to discuss the location and see if they would move the location up a block before the council approves of hosting this event.

Marling also noted a safety concern during the meeting, being that residents are jogging with no types of reflectors in the dark, creating a safety hazard for the residents and drivers.

He noted how important it is to wear reflectors for everyone’s safety.

“If you’re going to jog before daylight,” he said, “Make sure you have some sort of reflector.”

Police Chief J.J. Watson said the street department demolished the property of 2300 West 23rd Street, where a house fire occurred.

“They just went ahead and just knocked the structure straight down in the foundation,” he said. “So, we don’t see the actual burnt structure because they’re not going to get it torn down.”

Watson also said all full-time police officers in the village are equipped with new body armor purchased in April.

Richardson discussed Christmas decorations for the village at the end of the meeting. She said that Mary Haglioizou, who was not present at the meeting, had suggested taking the discussion to Bellaire schools and Richardson contacted Marinelli to discuss Christmas decorations because the school has a welding and art department.

“He seemed excited about it,” Richardson said of Marinelli. “He thought it would be a great way to bring the village and the school together. He even thought about the possibility of taking our old (decorations) and having them refurbish them.”