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Commission hears plan for tennis and pickleball court overhaul, council-approved funding includes sound study
Summary
Parks staff briefed the commission on a council-approved project to reconfigure courts (increasing courts from six to eight), address cracking and drainage, and study noise concerns raised by neighbors; staff said construction documents will go to bid and work is planned to be finished before summer camp in June.
Parks & Recreation staff reported that the city council recently approved full funding for a project to reconfigure tennis and pickleball courts at Lorne Park (project manager: Jack). The plan would move the tennis courts closer to the pavilion, place pickleball courts nearer the baseball field, and increase court capacity from six to eight in the reconfigured area.
Commissioners were told the council-approved package includes a noise study to address neighbor complaints about the sound of pickleball paddles hitting plastic balls. Jack said the city is working with a firm that specializes in sound radiation and will review mitigation options; the commission discussed possible mitigation such as partial overlays or physical barriers but also noted safety and sight-line concerns if opaque screening were used.
Staff outlined repairs included in the scope: removal of problematic trees whose roots were causing cracks, improved drainage to prevent freeze-thaw damage, and potential court surface overlay (the overlay is still tentative and will depend on cost and contractor recommendations). Jack said the department intends to put construction documents out to bid soon and that construction is expected to start in late April or May with a goal of completing work by June so summer camp access is not disrupted.
Commissioners asked about noise mitigation options and sight-line concerns, and staff said they will review the consultant—s report and make decisions based on recommendations, costs and public-safety considerations. No formal commission vote was taken; staff said the project is Jack—s priority and that more detailed plans and bid documents will be provided as they are finalized.
The commission also discussed related renovations (restroom ADA upgrades) and site improvements; timelines for those items were not finalized in this meeting.
Next steps include finalizing bid documents, evaluating the sound-study recommendations, and returning with more detailed cost and schedule information before construction begins.
