J. Burt Gillette Athletic Complex — Local services in Wilson

My 10yr old has played baseball since he was 3 and "county ball" was still the thing to do then even though J Burt Gillette had been up and going for 5 or 6 years, it just didn't have all the ball parents, including myself, convinced that it was the place for us. From county ball my son moved to travel ball which he's been doing a couple years now and loves it too, but travel ball is not going all the time, basically 2 weekends a month, so to keep the rust off him we decided to try city ball at J Burt Gillette, because they have grown tremendously, so much so that there's like no county ball spots left, used to be about 5 county ball associations in Wilson and I'm pretty sure that there's only one now hanging on by a thread, not saying any names!!! Just played his 2nd game there last night and it's no comparison to county ball, not in the least!! My son and I have absolutely fell in love with everything about this complex, from the atmosphere to the great coaching, to the awesome grounds crew, haven't met them personally, but you just know they're top notch before you even get out of your vehicle just by how well maintained it is!! I know I'm rambling but I'm telling you guys, if you have a young boy or girl that's interested in baseball/softball, you should look no further. Just ask the next stranger you see for more info and I'll guarantee you that they either have a kid or grandkid playing ball at J Burt Gillette, and if they don't you better believe they know someone who does!!! Last but not least, I don't know anyone in charge out there personally so please don't think someone coxed me into saying not one word of what you just read, it just has that effect on people and it will you to, just stop by and find out!!! Folks, I have to apologise, after I posted my review I started looking at all the wonderful pictures people have posted and I am shocked at myself for totally forgetting all about the awesome soccer program J Burt Gillette has to offer, can't speak too much on that subject due to the fact that me nor my family have played soccer there as we're a baseball family, but again, I can definitely say that if it's just a third as good as their baseball program then it's the place for you, if you're into that sort of...

The pickleball courts are amazing but there is NO FAIR ROTATION. There are paddle racks which aren't visible or used. They're black on black so no one sees them. The signs that say "1 game to 11 when people are waiting", are tiny and in a location where they're not seen. Having played there and noticed nobody moving, it seems the players wouldn't abide by the rules anyway.

Many of us have been there and no one rotates off. Players come with their friends and hold the courts until they leave. Unbelievably rude. Why it's allowed, we can't imagine. Some, when they finish their game, just sit on the courts and watch their friends. When their friends are done they get back up and play - never leaving the courts, using the paddle racks or rotating off.

The system isn't being used or enforced which makes the players seem rude, unfriendly and unfair. These are public courts built for everyone, correct? Yet not everyone gets a chance to use the covered courts, only a select few.

Those courts were built with the idea that there will be many players. As the area grows this is going to be a huge problem. The courtesy rules need to be enforced and monitored until it...

Our go to DAILY throughout the year. But the pickleball courts. Do I love them, yes. Use them YES. But it closes the entire park at 7 now? Why? There is an entire community of children, after school programs that use that park, EVERY DAY. Why not block off the courts? I'd be one thing if they were done right. Whomever gave the greenlight on the construction is OBLIVIOUS to how bad they got ripped. Omg. So where to start? Not a single exterior court close to level. To drain water? Nope it puddles, BAD. Orientation of courts? Even worse, cross wind central. Oh the canopy? Sun light blinds you. Even the gates are too high, u bolts torqued on just one side, balls rolling right under them. For 4.8 mil, you'd think someone knowing what is acceptable would have been brought in. Opening half at a time to "prevent wear and tear" laughable. Seems like a large portion of tax payer $ is not accounted for. 4.8 MILLION BUCKS and end result?? Yeah, suspect. Either the person in charge is an absolute total dummy, or alloted funds went elsewhere. Really look at the place, somethings wrong. Us as tax payers should be...