The Baker Recreation + Equestrian Center has completed a series of upgrades to its sports courts and equestrian facilities, with night lighting for pickleball courts planned in the coming months.

• The facility at 5503 FL-4 now features four new pickleball courts and an upgraded basketball court with new goals and glass backboards, Okaloosa County announced the upgrades in a video featuring Commissioner Sherri Cox and Jeff Peters, Parks and Recreation Director for Okaloosa County.

“We try to do things here in Okaloosa County first class, and this is just another amenity that we’ve brought to the table for the community,” Peters said.

The county also rebuilt 156 horse stalls at the equestrian center, expanding them from 10 feet wide to 15 feet wide. Peters called the upgraded stalls “horse condominiums.”

• “They were built obviously many years ago. Just old rotten wood,” Peters said, describing the previous condition of the stalls.

The county’s internal facility staff completed all construction work on the stalls over several months, installing new barn doors, roofing, LED lighting and electrical systems throughout. The facility also added new black vinyl-coated fencing.

Peters said the facility selected Baker Gators colors for the renovations to honor the local K-12 school.

LED lights for the pickleball courts will be installed in the coming weeks, allowing the courts to remain open until 10 p.m. The basketball and pickleball courts are open to the public.

The equestrian arena and stalls remain open during the week for riding and practice, though the facility may be locked during special events. Residents can check with the county’s TDD Department for scheduling information.