A $10,000 grant from the Innovia Foundation has accelerated funding efforts for a pickleball court rehabilitation project in Kellogg, bringing organizers within striking distance of their goal. Kellogg Project Uplift received the award as part of Innovia’s latest round of grantmaking, which distributed $1.3 million across 125 organizations serving Eastern Washington and North Idaho. The pickleball initiative still requires approximately $5,000 to move forward, with facility completion potentially achievable by next spring or summer if the remaining funding materializes.
The pickleball courts sit on Kellogg School District property adjacent to Silver Mountain Resort’s Silver Rapids Waterpark. About three years ago, Silver Mountain Resort and the Kellogg School District entered into a partnership to convert aging tennis courts at the site into public-use pickleball facilities. Paige Olsen, director of Kellogg Project Uplift, described the effort as a sustained campaign to secure resources for the upgrade. “I’ve been trying to help Silver Mountain secure funding to redo the tennis courts adjacent to them, next to Kellogg Middle School,” Olsen said.
Innovia’s Support for North Idaho Communities
The Innovia Foundation has maintained its grantmaking programs for 52 years, with this latest distribution underscoring the organization’s commitment to strengthening regional infrastructure and community cohesion. Shelly O’Quinn, Innovia’s chief executive officer, framed the grants within a broader philosophy of community development. “Healthy communities begin where basic needs are met and connection among neighbors is possible,” O’Quinn said.
Beyond the Kellogg pickleball project, six Shoshone County organizations received Innovia support. Avery School District No. 394 obtained $7,500 for operational expenses tied to its Calder Early Learning Program. The Barnard Stockbridge Museum secured $2,500 to advance its “A New Lens: Preserving Community Memory” initiative. Mining Heritage Exhibition Inc. and the Sierra Silver Mine Tour each received $10,000 awards—the former for historic mining exhibit restoration and the latter to sustain mining education programming. Wallace Music Festival Inc. gained $5,000 backing for its annual event.
Regional Investment in Recreation and Heritage
The pickleball court project reflects a broader regional interest in recreation infrastructure across the Panhandle. Community recreation facilities serve as anchors for public health, youth engagement, and neighborhood connection—priorities consistently identified in planning discussions throughout North Idaho and adjacent communities. The partnership between Silver Mountain Resort and the Kellogg School District demonstrates how private enterprise and public institutions can align resources to serve residents.
Kellogg, located in the heart of Shoshone County’s historic mining region, has pursued incremental investments in public amenities as part of ongoing community revitalization. The pickleball courts project aligns with similar efforts across the Silver Valley to maintain and upgrade public facilities that strengthen local quality of life. The waterpark proximity and school district partnership position the courts as a multi-use community asset with potential appeal to residents throughout the region.
What Comes Next
Project organizers will pursue the remaining $5,000 in funding through additional grant applications and community fundraising initiatives. Once that gap closes, construction or renovation work can commence, with a target completion window of spring or summer 2027. The Innovia grant provides a significant momentum boost and validates the project’s merit to other potential funders and stakeholders.
Residents and community organizations interested in supporting the Kellogg pickleball court initiative can connect with Kellogg Project Uplift for information on how to contribute. The project exemplifies how foundation support, local partnership, and sustained advocacy can transform aging infrastructure into vibrant community assets.