The Rocket City may soon look more like Pickleball City.

An $18.5 million agreement authorized Thursday by the Huntsville City Council moves the John Hunt Park Recreation Center a step closer to reality, with plans calling for 25 lighted and covered outdoor pickleball courts – over 50% more than an earlier iteration of the design.

The council authorized sitework by contractor Fite Building Co., including landscaping, street improvements to Don Mincher Drive and a 298-space parking lot, along with the pickleball courts under a pre-engineered metal building cover.