Anacortes — The City Council on July 7 declined to act on a proposed interlocal agreement and resurfacing contract to convert two of six Anacortes High School tennis courts for dual tennis/pickleball use, and instead moved the item to a future meeting for further review.

City Parks and Recreation Director John Lunsford told council the city would pay up to $70,000 for resurfacing and striping and that the plan calls for the southern two courts to be restriped so each could host two pickleball courts with temporary nets stored in a locker for public use when the school is not exercising priority use.

Councilmembers, school and neighborhood stakeholders and local players pressed staff on drainage, competitive play, noise, enforcement and timing—issues that Mayor Matt Miller and others said require more coordination with the school district before the city commits funds.

Lunsford said the city and district had discussed drainage fixes, WIAA (Washington Interscholastic Activities Association) rules and timing; he also said the district preferred the city hold off on work until after the district board can act. “The city would pay up to 70,000,” Lunsford told council. He said the district’s board does not meet until August and that, as a result, construction would be unlikely before next spring.

Why it matters: Pickleball is highly popular in Anacortes, but the proposed overlay would place pickleball striping and temporary nets over existing tennis lines at a school facility used for competitive high‑school play. Residents who live nearest the courts and members of the tennis community said the plan could harm competitive tennis and generate new noise complaints; parks staff and pickleball users said it would expand low‑cost play space for a growing sport.

What council heard

- Brian Benson, coach of the Anacortes High School boys tennis team: “I don't think this is a good idea.” Benson said the additional lines would confuse visiting teams and that the southern courts were poorly built with drainage problems that would soon reappear after resurfacing.

- Andy Pitts, longtime resident: “We're not gonna fix it. We're just going to leave them the way they are.” Pitts said the two southern courts are not level and that a $70,000 resurfacing would be a temporary patch.

- John Pope, longtime local volunteer and player: “Pickleball is an entry level sport for tennis.” Pope described pickleball as a low‑footprint, largely doubles recreational sport that attracts a wide age range and said Mount Airy gym programs and other shared facilities have incubated play locally.

Council concerns and staff responses

Councilmembers asked about noise measurements, hours of play, enforcement and whether the overlay has been used successfully elsewhere. Lunsford said staff took decibel readings during a morning test and recorded ‘‘low sixties’’ near the nearest houses; he said readings dropped into the fifties on the downhill side of the site. He also said the contractor the city consulted had done similar dual‑use striping in Skagit County and believed the approach was workable.

Several councilmembers said they want clearer answers before approving funding: whether the school district formally supports the conversion, how temporary nets and lines would be stored and managed, whether use at Clear Ridge courts could be curtailed to reduce neighborhood impacts, and whether the work would address underlying drainage and leveling problems.

The council’s action and next steps

Rather than vote, councilmembers agreed to postpone formal approval and bring the item back after additional outreach and coordination with the school district and neighborhood stakeholders. Mayor Miller asked residents to submit written comments and staff to return with more details on noise readings, management and any possible tradeoffs with Clear Ridge hours. The item will appear on a future council agenda; no contract was signed on July 7.

Ending: The item drew broad public interest and a sustained council discussion about balancing demand for new recreational opportunities with preserving school athletics and neighborhood livability. Staff said it will return with clarified data and a recommended timetable for council action.