Pickleball Passion Grows in Marlborough: Great news for pickleball fans! Marlborough is getting a new pickleball facility at 119 Airport Blvd. The City Council’s Urban Affairs Committee gave the green light for the plans on Tuesday, September 24. This brings the exciting project one step closer to opening!
Special Permit Approval
The committee has given a special permit with certain conditions, and it will be reviewed by the city lawyer soon. Urban Affairs Chair Kate Robey believes the permit will be ready to discuss at the City Council meeting on Monday, October 7.
Pickleball Facility Details
This new pickleball facility is set to cover an impressive 1,854 square meters on an 85,337-square-meter lot in the limited industrial zoning district. Plans include six indoor pickleball courts, a small practice court, a pro shop, and restrooms. Outdoor amenities will feature an additional court, a picnic area, and ample parking with 76 spaces available.
To address potential concerns from the community, the project will include several conditions: landscape screening to minimize noise, downward-facing lights to reduce light pollution, and a restriction on overnight events like sleepovers.
Alcohol License and Community Concerns
The facility plans to apply for a license to serve beer, wine, and malt beverages, although consumption will be limited to inside the building. In response to worries about noise and parking, attorney Pamela Brown, representing Ambidextrous Ventures LLC, assured the committee that no parking would be allowed in the neighboring cul-de-sac, and the outdoor court will not feature lights.
“It’s not an obnoxious use,” Brown stated, highlighting that the outdoor court is situated far enough from neighboring properties to avoid significant noise issues.
“That was never a quiet area”-(Councilor Donald Landers)
Historical Context and Future Operations
Councilor Donald Landers weighed in, reminding attendees that the area has a noisy history, having once been an airport. Temporary hours of operation are set from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Should the facility seek to change these hours, they will need to return to the council for a change.
Reflecting on the project, Landers remarked, “Never in my wildest dreams [did I think] we’d have pickleball there.” With the committee’s approval, the community’s dreams of a dedicated pickleball space are moving closer to reality.
News in Brief: Pickleball Passion Grows in Marlborough
A special permit is waiting for review, with community concerns about noise and parking being addressed. The facility will serve beer and wine inside and will be open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. This is an exciting step forward for the local pickleball community!
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