The Anacortes City Council on July 7 discussed a Parks Department proposal to enter an interlocal agreement with the Anacortes School District to resurface two southern tennis courts at 20 Second Street and add striping for four pickleball courts. Parks staff said the city would pay up to $70,000; the school district would retain priority for school practices, events and competitions.

Parks staff told the council the district’s board does not meet again until August, making construction this summer unlikely. Staff proposed delaying work until spring to avoid interfering with the school tennis season and said the city would guarantee public access when the district was not using the courts. Director Lunsford said the project would leave the four northern courts as tennis-only and convert the two southern courts for dual use with temporary nets stored in a locker.

The proposal drew lengthy public comment from a variety of users. Brian Benson, coach of the Anacortes High School boys tennis team, and residents including Andy Pitts urged caution, citing drainage and cracking on the existing courts and concerns that overlaying pickleball lines would confuse competitive tennis players. Several neighbors cited noise concerns after a recent campaign of complaints about pickleball noise at an existing site called Clear Ridge. Parks staff said they had taken decibel readings around the site and at nearby houses and that sound-mitigating fabric installed at Clear Ridge reduced measured noise levels there.

Council members expressed differing views. Some, including Council Member Young and Council Member Moulton, said they were not ready to approve without stronger buy-in from school district leadership and clearer management of hours and enforcement. Council Member McDougal and others urged action to support pickleball, particularly for older residents, noting limited indoor court capacity and growing demand.

After discussion the council did not authorize the interlocal agreement. Mayor Mary Miller and staff said the item will be returned to a future agenda after further district consideration, more neighbor outreach and additional clarifications about hours, enforcement and any mitigation measures. Council requested that interested community members submit written comments in the meantime.