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Board hears community concern and facilities update on Somerville High tennis courts; short-term repairs proposed
Summary
Public commenters and facilities staff discussed long‑running problems with the Somerville High School tennis courts. District engineers said soil testing is complete, design is underway and projected construction costs now estimate $1.5–$2 million; staff proposed a temporary seal-and-repaint this summer while designs and funding are finalized.
A parent and community members raised renewed concern at the April 14 Dorchester County School District 2 board meeting about the condition and timeline for replacement of the tennis courts at Summerville High School (Somerville High). Facilities staff said the existing courts are in poor condition, are located in wetlands, and will require significant civil work; district engineers have completed soil (geotechnical) testing and the A&E firm is finalizing design documents.
Community comment Ben Hop, who identified himself during public comment as a community member involved in the tennis program, told the board he has followed the courts' replacement for years and said the girls' tennis program has missed multiple seasons due to lack of usable home courts. He asked the board to reaffirm a promise to have courts ready by Aug. 1 for the upcoming season and sought information on the site selection and soil testing results.
Facilities update and budget estimates Facilities director Jeff Smith and colleague Tony Soules told the board the courts show widespread cracking and previous patching, and noted the existing courts sit in an area of wetlands that would require updated stormwater infrastructure, a retention pond and other civil work. The district completed soil testing and geotechnical surveys; the designer is finalizing plans. Smith said the original budget estimate of about $600,000 is now outdated and current estimates range from $1.5 million to $2 million.
Because the design is incomplete and permitting will be required, the district recommended a short-term fix for this year: a seal coat repair and repaint of the existing courts (a rehabilitation, not full replacement). Smith said a seal-and-repaint could be completed over the summer but is not a permanent solution; it would extend usability while the district pursues design, permitting and funding for full replacement.
Other facilities context Staff also noted Fort Dorchester High School has courts in need of the same treatment. Facilities staff described recent referendum projects, roofing and other capital work across the district and emphasized that funding for capital projects comes from restricted capital funds (8% funds and referendum funds) that cannot be used for operations.
What the board heard Board members asked whether drainage or standing water is causing the deterioration and whether temporary drainage improvements could be combined with seal-and-repaint work; facilities staff said the courts would need surface regrading to achieve positive drainage and that subsurface failure contributes to ongoing issues. No binding timeline or new capital appropriation was approved at the meeting; staff were asked to continue design and to return with permitting and funding plans.
