At the Pickleball Picnic on June 19, Board of Director Bob Olesen made a presentation to the approximately 200
attendees about the need and planning for major renovations to the existing 12 pickleball and 5 tennis courts. The justification (as I understood) was they are aged (approximately 25 years old), badly in need of repairs and the court underpayments was not done originally properly which contributes to the existing problems. Costs for this major work were estimated (by an “expert”) at $1.6 million, although the mechanics of how this would be distributed had not been decided.
Mr. Olesen indicated the work could be done during March and April of 27.
I do not believe this work is justified as the courts are in very playable condition.
I have played regularly as a member of the tennis club on these courts actively for 14 years and regularly as an active member of the pickleball club since it was formed about 10 years ago. This year I play 5 days a week (2 days tennis and 3 days pickleball) – 2 hours a day. I have never seen a player fall because of cracks or uneven surfaces, seen a player not want to play on a certain court, or seen a courts surface affect a play or outcome of a match.
This year, as in past years, cracks on the courts were professionally sealed (I am told estimated costs this year were $20,000.). A few times, through the years, players have complained about dead spots on the courts (where the balls do not bounce as expected) —- perhaps a bad spot on the court, or perhaps bad ball, or perhaps player excuse.
I have heard – 2 or 3 times – similar type complaints when playing at the indoor Huntley Park District pickleball
courts through the last 14 years. It does appear some maintenance work is needed on the fences (and supporting posts) which divide several of the courts – which does not affect play.
I suggest that any decision for major renovations to the courts should have the full recommended approval of both pickleball and tennis clubs.
Bobby Brown
Sun City resident
