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Selectmen deny Northridge Church permit for pay‑to‑play pickleball clinic
Summary
The Wolfeboro Selectmen voted May 20 to deny a temporary event permit for a June pickleball clinic submitted by Northridge Church after members concluded the event operates as a for‑profit activity routed through a nonprofit sponsor; the board suggested Pop Whelan as an alternative venue.
Wolfeboro — The Wolfeboro Board of Selectmen denied Permit 2026‑40 on May 20, refusing a temporary event permit that would have allowed Northridge Church to host a pay‑to‑play pickleball clinic in June at Fossefield.
A Select Board member asked that the permit be pulled from the bulk vote for discussion, saying the application appeared to allow a business to monetize the town’s courts by using a nonprofit sponsor and that the event was not open to the general public. The board debated precedent and whether previous approvals (for events such as Level Up Pickleball) implicitly allowed similar arrangements.
Town staff confirmed the applicant had submitted the required fee. The board nevertheless voted to deny the permit and offered access to Pop Whelan as an alternative, noting Pop Whelan has fewer courts but is available for rental. The action passed on a roll call vote.
Board members used the discussion to say the town needs clearer policy language about temporary event permits, who may sponsor for‑profit activities, and how to ensure open public access. Separately the board voted to list temporary event permits as a distinct agenda line rather than burying them in the bulk vote to improve transparency and allow members of the public to speak to individual events.
What’s next: staff will post approved temporary event permits on the Select Board website and will work to clarify the permit policy and fees for events that are mixed nonprofit/for‑profit.
