Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Recreation Parks topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Senior players press Sterling Heights council for dedicated time, clearer operations at new pickleball complex
Summary
Senior center pickleball players urged the council to reserve dedicated senior hours, group players by ability, ensure staff oversight, and maintain some play at the existing senior center as the city opens a new nine‑court facility.
Dozens of seniors and community members urged Sterling Heights leaders on Feb. 2 to preserve access and safety for older players as the city finalizes operations for a new nine‑court pickleball complex.
Manny Gonzalez delivered a letter endorsed by more than 75 senior-center pickleball players requesting dedicated senior playing time, ability-based grouping and staff oversight at the new facility. “We are not asking for special treatment, only fair access, a structure that allows us to continue playing safely, enjoyably, and with the appropriate staff oversight,” Gonzalez said.
Speakers at the meeting raised practical concerns about seniors’ other activities at the existing senior center, travel and transportation between facilities, and whether staffing and scheduling will allow older adults to keep participating in programs such as woodworking, games and lunch that accompany their pickleball sessions. Robin Ritchie, a senior center participant, warned that relocating all play could interrupt routines for very elderly residents who rely on the center for multiple services.
City Manager Mark Vanderpool said Parks & Recreation has held listening sessions, has met directly with senior representatives and intends to continue dialog. Vanderpool confirmed the new facility will have nine courts, with one court reserved for special functions such as senior play, and said the senior center will retain some, though more limited, pickleball hours. “We will work through those issues,” Vanderpool said, and staff will provide more details about staffing, scheduling and operations as the new facility’s opening approaches.
Councilmembers expressed support for finding solutions that balance senior needs with other community uses, noted the city is renegotiating reciprocal agreements for resident rates with neighboring cities for aquatics and confirmed the city will explore options such as additional staffing, shuttle service and preserving some courts at the senior center.
