Valencia Shores Votes Down Pickleball Expansion: The growing tension between tennis and pickleball players at Valencia Shores, a 55-plus community west of Boynton Beach, led to the rejection of a plan to convert another tennis court into pickleball and bocce facilities. The referendum, which required a two-thirds majority, failed to secure enough votes, leaving the community divided over the issue.
Community Split Over Court Conversion
Valencia Shores originally had 12 tennis courts, but two were converted into six pickleball courts and three bocce courts four years ago. The latest proposal aimed to transform another tennis court into hard-surface pickleball courts and a bocce center, which would have cost homeowners over $1,000 each in special assessments.
Tennis players, already upset over losing two courts, opposed the plan. Despite support from pickleball and bocce players, the referendum received only 452 votes in favor, falling short of the required 643. In contrast, 508 homeowners voted against the measure. The high voter turnout of nearly 1,000 set a record for Valencia Shores.
Concerns Over Process and Community Division
Gail Silverman, a board member who opposed the project, argued that other priorities should take precedence.
“I’m embarrassed to acknowledge how much this has divided the community,” (Gail Silverman),
adding that the board underestimated the level of opposition.
Ed Brookes, HOA president and a supporter of the plan, blamed misinformation for the defeat.
“They tried to say we had room to build pickleball courts in other areas without impacting tennis. We did not, and we hired an engineering firm to confirm that.”(Ed Brookes)
Another issue that fueled controversy was the approval process. HOA documents require two-thirds of all 1,143 homeowners to approve such a change, but the board relied on a legal opinion stating that only two-thirds of actual voters needed to agree. Despite this lower threshold, the measure still failed.
Future of Pickleball at Valencia Shores
With the HOA election approaching, the pickleball issue may resurface depending on the board’s new composition. While Brookes believes another attempt may be made to convert the courts, Silverman emphasized that all candidates support improving pickleball and bocce, with the key debate centering on the process and scale of future projects.
Pickleball continues to surge in popularity nationwide, with participation rising 224% over the past three years. However, resistance from tennis players remains a common challenge in many communities. The outcome of the Valencia Shores board election could determine whether the debate reignites later this year.
News in Brief: Valencia Shores Votes Down Pickleball Expansion
A plan to replace a tennis court with additional pickleball and bocce facilities at Valencia Shores was rejected, deepening divisions in the community. Tennis players resisted losing another court, while pickleball supporters sought better playing conditions. The upcoming HOA election could determine if the issue resurfaces later in the year.
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