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Residents push for pickleball courts at Beard Park; staff estimate reconstruction north of $200,000
Summary
Residents urged faster action to convert or rebuild tennis courts at Beard Park into dedicated pickleball courts. Staff said a full reconstruction will likely cost about $230,000 and that design and construction could take roughly a year if funded in the next budget cycle.
Residents asked the Waterford City Council to accelerate plans to improve the tennis courts at Beard Park and add dedicated pickleball courts; staff said the courts are dilapidated, a full reconstruction would cost north of $200,000, and the earliest construction start would be several months after funds and design are approved.
Crystal Walker, a Waterford resident and teacher at Trinity Knox Classical Academy, told the council the park—s courts are being used informally for pickleball with temporary nets and tape, and urged the council to approve the draft plans on the city—s schedule. "I am here to push that approval to get that done, as soon as possible and not delay, because I know that the plans are already in place," Walker said.
Rick Yoder, a Waterford resident who said he plays pickleball regularly, told the council how other cities have expanded courts and described strong local interest. "You can put 4 pickleball courts on 1 tennis court," Yoder said, urging the council to convert underused tennis facilities into higher-demand pickleball space.
Staff described a longer timeline and the need for funding. Lonnie, a city staff member, said the tennis courts are "severely dilapidated" and noted one vendor—s preliminary estimate put reconstruction costs "about 230,000." Staff said they lack budget authority for the work now but plan to discuss priorities at a council workshop in February and could include the project in the next fiscal year—s budget, which takes effect July 1. If funded in the coming budget, staff said design, bidding and construction could push on-site work into November or December at the earliest, roughly a one-year process to completion.
Staff asked for community input on design and invited residents to participate in the parks and recreation commission process; the city also noted openings on that commission. Council members who spoke acknowledged strong community interest and said staffing and budget timing are constraints.
Clarifying details from the meeting: - Staff provided a vendor estimate of about $230,000 for full court reconstruction (one vendor; additional bids required). - Staff indicated the earliest in-budget start is July 1 (next fiscal year); design, bidding and construction could result in construction starting in November or December in a best-case scenario. - Interim use: staff and residents are using temporary nets and tape until funding/design are finalized.
Next steps: staff will present the project for council priority-setting at a February workshop, and the city will pursue formal plans and public bidding if council includes the project in the budget.
(Quoted speakers: Crystal Walker; Rick Yoder; Lonnie, city staff.)
