James Park Pickleball Project: In a tense meeting that highlighted the balancing act between fiscal responsibility and growing community demand, the Parks and Recreation Board faced a dilemma over the future of pickleball facilities in James Park. What began as a straightforward project to install six new pickleball courts has morphed into a high-stakes discussion after initial cost estimates rocketed to nearly $1 million.
Rising Costs Prompt Reevaluation
Initially, the Parks Board saw James Park as an ideal site for the new courts, but with the price tag far exceeding expectations, they’ve been forced to reevaluate. The June meeting had seen a proposal to scale down the project to four courts, trimming the cost to a more palatable $600,000 to $650,000. Yet, even this revised figure sparked unease among board members, who were reluctant to compromise on the number of courts.
Exploring Alternative Solutions
Thursday night’s session brought new ideas to the table. Instead of committing to the costly James Park plan, the board discussed a more pragmatic approach: reconfiguring existing tennis courts at Ackerman and Mason Parks to accommodate pickleball. This option would reduce the number of city tennis courts from 34 to 30 but potentially increase the number of dedicated pickleball courts to 12—six at each park.
“We arrived at James Park because we felt like that was the path of least resistance,” Parks and Recreation Director Audrey Thompson said. “But after a consultant came in, the price soared to almost $1 million [and] we do feel that is pretty ridiculous.”
Community Voices and Board Considerations
The community’s voices echoed strongly at the meeting. Gregg Lauderbaugh, a local pickleball enthusiast, lamented the inconvenience of traveling to nearby Skokie and Wilmette for dedicated courts, while Jerie Dahlman, a 44-year resident, criticized the current dual-use courts. “It’s unfair that I have to change the way I play the game because the court [tennis court] is not designed for pickleball” Dahlman asserted. “It’s a fact that there are 34 tennis courts and zero dedicated pickleball courts is just not fair.”
Parks and Recreation Board President Ellie Shevick and Assistant Director Michael Callahan listened attentively as options were weighed. The board plans to explore the possibility of installing new courts at Cartwright Park, alongside Ackerman and Mason. Board Vice President Robert Bush suggested Vernon Shores as another potential site, although he acknowledged the inherent challenges in finding a perfect solution.
“I think you do have to understand that there’s no perfect place for this,” Bush told community members at the meeting. “We’re trying to make it the best that we can.”
Thompson emphasized the board’s commitment to making a decision by the end of September, factoring in community feedback regarding potential noise impacts. She also hinted at future enhancements, including a new Parks and Recreation software system for online court reservations, though the launch date remains unconfirmed.
As the board grapples with the complexities of this project, the balancing act between budget constraints and community needs continues. For now, pickleball players in the city wait with bated breath to see how the board’s final decision will unfold.
News in Brief: James Park Pickleball Project
The Parks and Recreation Board is struggling with the future of pickleball facilities at James Park, where initial cost estimates for six new courts surged to nearly $1 million. A proposal to scale down to four courts at a reduced cost of $600,000 to $650,000 has met with resistance. In response, the board is exploring alternatives, such as converting existing tennis courts at Ackerman and Mason Parks into pickleball courts, and potentially increasing dedicated courts to 12 while reducing tennis courts from 34 to 30. The board aims to make a decision by the end of September, considering community feedback and possible future upgrades. The outcome will impact the local pickleball community’s access to dedicated facilities.
Also read: Indoor Pickleball Club at Newtown Shopping Center is Set to Open
