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Hurricane council debates moving pickleball courts as staff weigh grants, pool trade-offs
Summary
City staff proposed moving heavily used pickleball courts from a tree-lined green to a State Street site to expand courts and add food-truck parking; council members split over preserving green space versus cost savings and commercial potential, and directed staff to place a location decision on the next agenda.
City staff presented competing options for Hurricane’s popular pickleball courts on a work-meeting agenda item that also touched on pool renovation, land-acquisition grants and pump-track proposals.
Tiffany, a recreation staff member, told the council the existing courts are heavily used by leagues, junior programs and the high school but have alignment and tree-root problems that will cause recurring maintenance. She said staff propose moving the courts to a State Street site to reorient courts north–south, gain room for additional courts and provide food-truck parking for events. "We love them where they are, but the trees are causing issues," Tiffany said.
Why it matters: staff reported $455,000 already set aside for courts and said wrap-tax reserves could contribute roughly $1,000,000; the city also has about $3.4 million targeted for a pool renovation and faces an estimated additional $5 million cost to make the pool an indoor, year‑round facility. Council members framed the discussion as a choices-about-priorities question: invest now in courts and site acquisition, or preserve green space and reuse existing infrastructure.
Debate and alternatives: Councilmember Kevin argued against the State Street site, calling it unsuitable for players and saying he would not support removing the green-space character of the current area. Others urged preserving the park atmosphere, warning that fenced courts on mall‑edge property could harm event space used for Peach Days and other community gatherings. Staff and council also discussed several alternatives: rebuild courts in place with root mitigation and post‑tension slabs; relocate courts to underused asphalt next to the Fine Arts building; or convert the current court area to a pump track or skate amenities using semi‑permanent fencing for events.
Grants and land purchase options: staff briefed the council on grant options, including the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). An adviser said LWCF grants can provide up to $3,000,000 with a 50/50 local match; staff suggested the city could cover part of a match from wrap-tax or other dedicated recreation funds and pursue a local commitment while grant decisions are made. A nearby property suitable for park preservation was described as listed near $800,000; council directed staff to explore timing and matching options.
Next steps and process: Legal counsel advised the mayor that, because there was not clear consensus on location, the council should post the pickleball-location decision on a future agenda for a formal vote. The mayor asked staff to schedule the item for the council meeting on the 19th and directed measurements and site drawings so members have clear options. No formal redevelopment or land purchase occurred at the work meeting.
Quotes from the meeting: "If people don't want to tear down the trees ... why are we wanting to move the pickleball courts out here where there are no trees?" Councilmember Kevin said. Tiffany replied that players can be flexible on tree removal but that the community values the green space used for events.
What was not decided: the council did not approve construction or site purchase at this meeting. Staff were told to return with concrete options, footprint measurements and a posted agenda item so the body can take a formal vote.
