Chino Hills council votes to resurface Grand Avenue Park rink to pickleball standards amid heated public debate

Chino HillsCity Council voted unanimously July 9 to adopt staffrecommendation to resurface Rink 1 at Grand Avenue Park to pickleball standards and implement a revised schedule intended to preserve roller-hockey and Derby Dames rental times while adding pickleball capacity.

The vote followed a staff presentation from Community Services Director Jonathan Marshall outlining three options: resurfacing Rink 1 to pickleball standards (resurfacing only, approximately $35,000); Attachment B, which would create a short-sided roller-sports area (50 by 85 feet) and four permanent pickleball courts (estimated $200,000to$250,000); and Attachment C, a larger short-roller area (65 by 95 feet) with four permanent pickleball courts (estimated $450,000to$500,000). Marshall said vendors do not recommend a hybrid surface and staff identified site constraints (utilities, drainage, terrain) that make larger reconfigurations costly.

Marshall told the council that ‘‘all three options would cost approximately $35,000’’ for basic resurfacing only, while the two reconfiguration attachments would require substantially more funding and additional site work. He recommended preserving the current rink configuration, resurfacing to pickleball standards and adopting a revised schedule that keeps the Derby Dames rental and Thursday roller-hockey while increasing pickleball open-play hours.

The public comment period included more than a dozen speakers. Roller-derby and roller-hockey advocates warned that resurfacing to pickleball standards could render the rink unusable for roller sports and emphasized that Grand Avenue Park is the only free public roller rink in the area for many users. ‘‘Resurfacing the rink to pickleball standards without a clear understanding of whether it would be usable by roller sports would have a negative impact on equity,’’ said Deanna Saunders Medina, treasurer of Prison City Roller Derby. Parents and roller-sports users described having no nearby alternatives and cited safety concerns about skating in streets when the rink is occupied.

Pickleball proponents cited rapid growth and long waits at existing courts. ‘‘Pickleball has grown an incredible rate,’’ said Chris Condleton, noting expanded leagues and wait times he estimated at 40 to 50 minutes. Supporters argued that resurfacing to pickleball standards would provide more reliable, safe court surfaces for a broad demographic and increase program offerings.

Councilmembers weighed cost, safety and equity. Councilmember Peter (first name recorded in the transcript) said the sport has demonstrably grown and supported the staff recommendation as the most immediate and affordable way to increase playable hours. Other councilmembers urged preserving roller-sports access where possible and asked staff to return with budget options for future capital projects. Council members also asked staff to evaluate resident-prioritization options for scheduled reservations while noting legal constraints tied to grant funding and public access.

The motion to adopt staffrecommendation, which included the revised schedule and nominal fencing repairs, passed 5-0. Council directed staff to roll the proposed scheduling changes into the motion and to return later with budget recommendations if enhancements to the surrounding area (shade gazebos, benches) are pursued; staff estimated such enhancements at about $100,000.

The vote leaves the basic resurfacing plan in place this year while keeping open the possibility of larger reconfiguration proposals if funding becomes available. Council members said they would revisit options as capital funds or grant opportunities permit.