The Negaunee Public School District features two tennis/pickleball courts and a patch of turf allowing for athletics, community use and marching band practice. The turf is removable and allows for great flexibility in uses for the facility. (Photo courtesy of the Negaunee Public Schools)

NEGAUNEE — The Negaunee Public School District’s new practice facility at its campus will be open for public use on Monday.

“It’s definitely a multiuse facility,” Superintendent Dan Skewis said. “Because the building has two flooring surfaces, it allows for several activities to take place. Outside of the different athletic practices, it also allows our band to rehearse prior to halftime performances on Friday nights in the fall. We’re very excited to be opening its doors next week.”

Currently, two-thirds of the facility has tennis/pickleball courts (two in total) and one-third turf.

It will be open 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday to Saturday for community use.

From 7 to 10 a.m., walkers and runners may use the facility. Tennis, pickleball and turf reservations can only be made from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and can only be made by residents in the Negaunee Public School District boundaries who are over 21 years old.

Tennis/pickleball courts, batting/golf cages and turf reservations cost $10 per hour. Reservations are for one-hour time slots and can be made by calling the Negaunee High School Athletic Department at 906-475-7861.

For-profit organizations will be charged $50 per hour for reservations.

Only district students and coaches are permitted to use the facility from 3 to 9 p.m. on Monday to Saturday and 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday.

Prohibited items include, but are not limited to food, drinks (except water), weight equipment, footwear with rollers, bikes, scooters, strollers, portable basketball or volleyball goals/posts and wrestling mats.

“We feel very fortunate to be able to offer this facility to our students and community. It was a project planned under the bond proposal that passed in August 2020. Without our community’s support, this facility would not have been possible,” Skewis stated.

Alexandria Bournonville can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 206. Her email address is abournonville@miningjournal.net.