School district outlines gated access plan for community use of high school tennis courts

The committee discussed whether the city needs to build additional tennis courts after staff noted the high school has new courts available for community use.

During Hillcrest Park discussion, a parks staff member raised the question of whether the city should stripe courts for tennis when the high school already has "brand new gorgeous tennis courts," and he said he had reached out to the district. Mr. Brady, identified in the meeting as present with the school district, described a plan to fence portions of the campus and create a gated pedestrian/vehicle access at 21st Street to allow community use outside school hours: "We're gonna cut in a gate right there on the 21st Street entrance ... they would have full access to the courts." He said access would be limited during school hours while the district secures the campus, but openings during evenings, weekends, holidays and summer are planned once fencing and a gate are installed.

Committee members cited existing court inventories (community college and high school courts) when weighing whether to add dedicated city tennis versus prioritizing pickleball and basketball. Staff said they will coordinate with the district on the gate and access procedures and factor that availability into final Hillcrest design decisions.