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City eyes short-term pickleball courts and shares parks master plan findings
Summary
Staff proposed converting three tennis courts at Oak Ridge High School into six dedicated pickleball courts as a short-term fix (estimated $40,000–$45,000 resurfacing; VersaCourt option ~$110,000). The parks master plan consultant reported the city has extensive park acreage and trails and is soliciting public input for long-term planning.
City parks staff proposed a short-term approach to meet demand for dedicated pickleball courts: convert three tennis courts at Oak Ridge High School into six permanent pickleball courts by resurfacing, buying portable nets and managing maintenance programs.
Staff weighed two approaches: a VersaCourt tile system (estimated around $110,000 plus approximately $20,000 for heavy-duty nets) and a resurfacing/conversion option the city estimates at $40,000–$45,000. Parks staff recommended resurfacing as the most cost-effective short-term path but noted the asphalt substructure has issues that will require ongoing maintenance.
Council and staff discussed coordination with the school, the high-school teams'schedule, and site selection, including noise and accessibility concerns. "We're looking at the short term plan," the parks presenter said, adding master planning will consider whether another site is better for long-term dedicated courts.
Separately, the parks master-plan consultant reported Oak Ridge manages a large park system (staff noted figures of more than 1,300 acres of parkland and about 76 miles of trails), benchmarked facility levels against NRPA standards, and is gathering public input through events and an online survey to guide future investments.
Next steps: staff plans minor short-term work (resurfacing) and will consider larger capital proposals in the master-plan and next budget cycle, while continuing public engagement.
