City of Holly Hill Applies for ECHO Grant for Pictona; ECHO to Rank Grant Applicants Tuesday

Written by Kristen Schmutz

The City of Holly Hill already has plans underway for the Pictona Arena being placed in Hollyland Park off Ridgewood Avenue, across from Holly Hill City Hall. Plans for the facility are to be open come Summer 2020.

While construction is underway, and progress on the building can be seen here, the City of Holly Hill has reached out to ECHO to assist with more funding.

ECHO, formerly Volusia County Environmental, Cultural, Historical, and Outdoor Recreation Advisory Committee, has received an application from Pictona “The Wimbledon of Pickleball” for a $400,000 boost toward the project. The application for additional funds comes after a $3 Million private investment from Ormond Beach Residents Rainer and Julie Martens.

The city has already invested $1 Million from Community Redevelopment Funds to utilize two-thirds of the 25-acre parcel to include 24 Courts (8 being covered), a clubhouse, a lounge, a game-room, “The Kitchen” restaurant, and act as a venue for social events.

The ECHO Committee is meeting on Tuesday at 9 a.m. to rank the 12 grant applications received from Deltona, Port Orange, Ormond Beach, and New Smyrna, along with Holly Hill.