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Residents urge Weston to build more pickleball courts, stress access and safety
Summary
Two residents told the Village of Weston board that pickleball has grown into a strong regional draw and urged the village to plan for more courts (12–16+) with accessible parking and softer surfaces to reduce injuries and support tournaments.
Andrea Engelson, who identified herself on the public-comment form as Andrea Engelson and described her role as a regional director for USAID POCA, thanked the board for considering pickleball courts and urged the village to plan for more than a dozen courts to support tournaments and community play. She said existing facilities in Marathon Park are full and that demand regularly draws large groups.
Kirk Panagulo, who said he lives in Scofield and is an at-large member of the Wausau Pickleball Association, described pickleball as one of the fastest-growing sports in the nation and told trustees the local age range spans teenagers to people in their 70s. Panagulo urged the board to consider site access, parking and safety, and noted tournament play typically requires about 12 courts; he said Yellow Banks and Mac Mueller were two sites under discussion and that Mac Mueller might accommodate up to 16 courts.
Panagulo also raised safety concerns and cited an industry figure for injuries concentrated among older players; he asked the board to consider playing-surface options (asphalt, concrete, other shock-absorbing materials) and to plan courts with surfaces that reduce joint stress for older participants.
The board thanked the speakers and moved on to the posted agenda. No formal action on funding or siting for courts was taken at this meeting.
