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Residents urge preservation of Glasgow tennis courts as Council weighs grant and relocation options for pickleball
Summary
Residents, the James G. Busick Tennis Foundation and Council members debated resurfacing Glasgow Tennis Courts and where to site pickleball courts; the tennis foundation said it raised significant funds and seeks full-site resurfacing for tennis use.
Several residents and stakeholders addressed the Council on July 16 urging preservation of the Glasgow Tennis Courts and expressing concern about relocating pickleball to Christ Rock.
Kemp Brooks, president of the James G. Busick Tennis Foundation, said the foundation has invested $444,921 into the County and seeks funding to resurface the entire nine-court facility so it remains suitable for tennis. He said the grant tied to resurfacing requires that all nine courts be addressed for tennis, and that Program Open Space funds cannot be used. Terry Robbins, representing the tennis community, said the foundation previously invested and asked the Council to find a resolution. Ed Nabb, speaking for the pickleball group, said they have played informally for years and urged that the Glasgow/School Street area remain available, arguing Christ Rock is not ideal for the league schedule. Teri Eldenburg and other residents warned that relocating pickleball could divide the community.
Council members said they support both tennis and pickleball and asked staff to explore separate locations so the tennis facility could be preserved for tennis. Councilman Detmer said the Council favors keeping the Glasgow Tennis Courts "as is" and creating a separate pickleball site; staff was tasked to review grant conditions and legal constraints linked to the BOE-leased site. The Council asked for patience while staff and legal counsel review possible paths forward.
Why it matters: the resurfacing decision affects volunteers, community programming and a large private fundraising effort; grant conditions and the fact the courts are on BOE-leased land limit the Council’s authority to unilaterally relocate or alter the facility.
Next steps: staff (County Attorney, County Manager, Recreation & Parks Director) will review grant conditions, lease arrangements with the Board of Education, and potential alternate sites for pickleball and present recommendations to the Council.
