UTICA — 50 Forward Mohawk Valley received a $30,000 grant from the Gorman Foundation to revitalize the outdoor tennis courts to also include pickleball courts at the Verona Beach site. This area is now known as The Gorman Foundation Pickleball/Tennis Facility.

This investment helped to resurface and paint the existing tennis courts to encourage not only tennis but pickleball, which is a growing activity for seniors.

Playing pickleball and tennis helps improve muscular strength and endurance, and increases cardiovascular activity, the announcement said.

By increasing outdoor spaces where older adults can enjoy recreational activities, we are increasing their ability to improve their overall health and well-being, officials added.

“Our mission is to provide programs and services to empower individuals 50-plus to live healthy and vibrant lives, which this project has done by increasing outdoor activity space for additional health and wellness activities,” said Kelly Walters, executive director of 50 Forward Mohawk Valley.

“The Gorman Foundation is proud to be a part of this project that has enhanced an outdoor space that was once only used for tennis and now incorporates a growing sport that older adults love to play, pickleball,” said Amanda Larson, CEO of the Gorman Foundation.

“The project adds to the growing number of programs offered at 50 Forward’s Verona Beach Center,” Larson added.

“When we developed the Jason Gwilt Memorial Senior Apartments with the on-site Senior Center that 50 Forward operates, our vision was to see programs and activities for not only our residents, but residents of the community,” said Oneida Housing Authority’s Executive Director Bob Walters.

“We are excited to see the growth and participation,” the housing authority executive director added.