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Pickleball courts near construction-ready; council debates parking, noise mitigation and field capacity
Summary
Staff reported near-complete designs for Fort Nugent pickleball courts and discussed phased construction, stormwater retention, lighting, parking expansion and a noise study; council also raised broader outdoor sports capacity and safety and noted school district courts lack funding for renovation.
Oak Harbor staff told council May 27 that Fort Nugent Park’s pickleball project is near design completion and ready for permit and outreach work, while councilmembers raised noise, parking and broader athletic-field capacity concerns for the city.
What staff reported
- Project status: Brian (city staff) said site design was approximately "99%" complete, permitting and stormwater plans were being finalized, and a phased four-court approach could reduce near-term costs. "We are probably about, I'd say, 99% design," Brian said when showing the court rendering and plans.
- Noise and mitigation: Staff said RWD is completing a noise study and that courts will be installed below grade with berms on the east side to reduce sound impact on nearby residences.
- Parking and lighting: Conceptual designs include parking expansion and lighting for both the pickleball courts and adjacent football fields; staff said those items are additional phases and not in the current construction estimate.
School-district courts and funding
Councilmember Stuckey asked whether the city could reallocate funds intended for resurfacing school-district courts. Staff said the city previously allocated $50,000 toward a grant match and that the estimated cost to renovate the school district’s courts is about $200,000. Staff reported the school district did not prioritize that resurfacing, and one councilmember noted the district faces a multiyear budget gap and has not scheduled that work.
Broader field capacity and safety
Councilmembers and staff discussed that Fort Nugent remains the primary site for many youth sports and special events and that cumulative demand, drainage and parking problems can create public-safety and access issues on event days. Councilmembers asked staff to consider interim, lower‑cost field and parking improvements while longer-term options (such as land acquisition near Harbor Heights or a larger outdoor sports complex) remain under discussion.
Next steps: Staff said it will finalize permitting, return with construction-phasing and funding options, continue community engagement and pursue grant opportunities; commissioners and local stakeholders will be asked to help formalize a North Whidbey pickleball association for fundraising and site programming.
