Connor Bevin, incoming CEO of the Greater Holyoke YMCA, presented a proposal to the Holyoke City Community Preservation Act (CPA) committee to convert an underused parking area at 160 Beach Street into two outdoor pickleball courts and requested CPA funding for parts of the project.

Bevin told the committee the YMCA has surveyed staff, members and the public and paid for architectural renderings and feasibility work. He said the site has room for two courts, plus an astroturf area and a half‑court basketball hoop on the building wall as an alternate use when courts are not in play. “We will ensure public access is granted within those hours of operation,” Bevin said, adding the YMCA’s mission is to serve the community and “we never turned anyone away.”

The YMCA proposes removable nets, fencing, security cameras and lighting; Bevin said removable nets can extend surfacing life to about seven to 10 years while permanent net posts accelerate surfacing wear and would shorten resurfacing cycles to roughly 3–5 years. He told the committee cameras and fencing are not included in the Mountain View estimate the YMCA supplied; lighting is included in the presented budget and the YMCA expects to carry ongoing camera and maintenance costs.

Bevin described a tentative public‑bid and construction timeline: an RFP in late spring, contractor selection in July, construction beginning in September and a possible opening in October, with a roughly four‑ to five‑week construction window once work begins. He said the YMCA would operate the courts in coordination with its existing hours (the presentation listed the YMCA’s general facility hours as Monday–Friday 5:30 a.m.–8:30 p.m., Saturday 7 a.m.–3 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.–2 p.m.) and use an online reservation system to manage public bookings and blocked hours for YMCA after‑school and summer camp programs.

Committee members asked detailed follow‑ups. Sarah asked how long surfacing typically lasts and how future resurfacing would be funded; Bevin said removable nets lengthen the surface life and that the YMCA would plan to cover resurfacing costs when required. Mary asked whether a catch basin and stormwater permitting would be required for the proposed regrading; Bevin said the architect and the general contractor had identified an existing catch basin and expect a permit will be needed. Meg pressed for a memorandum of understanding (MOU) or similar agreement to define public hours and reservation rules; Bevin said the YMCA would negotiate those details with the city’s Park & Rec department and the CPA committee if awarded funding.

Bevin said municipal and community partners have already expressed interest: Holyoke Gas & Electric requested recurring pickleball time slots after joining the municipal membership program, and Holyoke Senior Center staff have asked for transportation and reserved slots. The YMCA said it already offers pickleball inside its gym and would use the outdoor courts to expand access so more Holyoke residents do not have to travel to neighboring towns.

Naomi, the CPA chair, said the committee would add the YMCA materials to its FY25 spreadsheet and follow up with the YMCA on next steps. No formal funding decision or vote was recorded during the presentation.

Ending: The committee did not take final action; members will score and review applications ahead of the next meeting and return with funding recommendations. The YMCA will provide materials and follow up on questions about permits, the final bid package and the specifics of signage, cameras and fencing.