The latest project from Awake the Lake in Palmer Lake is under way.

Centennial Park in Palmer Lake is now mere weeks away from having its own pickleball courts. Since June 1, the courts have been poured and fencing is expected to be installed shortly, as well as sidewalks and the final color coating of the courts. Play on the courts can begin after the last of the work cures for 45 days.

Tim Caves of the Awake the Lake nonprofit organization said the goal is to have a grand opening for the new facility but a date has not yet been decided.

“With Awake the Lake having great experience in working with the town of Palmer Lake on other projects, we knew our first course of action was to bring the idea to the Parks Department and to the Board of Trustees,” Caves said. “Working as a team, we were able to determine the best spot for the courts and begin our plan of action.”

Awake the Lake, an organization dedicated to salvaging, restoring and recreating the town’s namesake lake, devotes time and effort to raising funds, and it could only hope to match with a larger grant to accomplish the enormous endeavor like a set of pickleball courts, Caves said. The nonprofit applied for and received a federal grant through the Pikes Peak Area Agency on Aging.

In addition, the organization has obtained local sponsorship for each of the courts to ensure their proper maintenance in the future. Six local businesses have committed $2,000 per year for three years, including First National Bank of Monument, Dead Flowers, Yaks Motorcycle Maintenance and Detail Shop, Monumental Spa, Glant Havenar Realtor and Pikes Peak Harley Davidson.

Caves said among the benefits of the courts is the opportunity to promote health and wellness in the community and the surrounding Tri-Lakes region.

“Regular play can lead to improved cardiovascular health, better mobility and lower the risk of chronic diseases,” he said. “These courts are smaller than tennis courts, allowing for efficient use of the space we chose. We are looking forward to the courts bringing in new visitors to our town while creating opportunities for people to meet new friends and experience all that our town of Palmer Lake has to offer.”

The organization feels the courts are a natural complement to the free outdoor recreational activities at and around Centennial Park, including hiking and biking trails, the no-wake lake for fishing and paddle boarding, the 18-hole disc golf course and little league baseball field.

“Through hard work and serious fund raising, we have also been successful in bringing in the pedestrian bridge, along with the new landscaping and stone pathway around the bridge,” Caves said. “Nothing could be accomplished without the financial support of the community through our fundraising efforts.”

Awake the Lake’s most successful fundraiser happens later this year with its 10th annual (Point) .5k race, dubbed The Run for the Rest of Us, on Sept. 29. In addition, Awake the Lake’s efforts to build a community bathroom on the west side of the park is ready to begin construction and looks to be completed by the end of the summer.

As for the pickleball courts project, Caves said it is in response to the national phenomenon with pickleball courts popping up around the country. None existed in the Tri-lakes area — until now.

“As we looked out on our wonderful park, we began to imagine what else we could add to the community that would bring people together, enhance the grounds and encourage healthy living,” Caves said. “Pickleball is one of those sports that a 9-year old can enjoy and play with a 79-year old senior.

“As a nonprofit, we wanted to bring these courts to Centennial Park offering easy access and free play for all.”

For more information on Awake the Lake and its projects, visit the organization’s website at awakepalmerlake.org and its Facebook page “Awake Palmer Lake.”