Pickleball Courts in Reading: Plans for seven new pickleball courts at Symonds Way in Reading, Massachusetts, have hit a financial roadblock, with an unexpectedly high $1.89 million price tag. The Select Board was surprised by the estimate, especially as the town prepares to vote on major projects, including a $130 million Killam School proposal and a $27.9 million Reading Center for Active Living.
Sticker Shock Over Pickleball Costs
Architect Joel Bargmann of BH+A presented the cost breakdown, which includes:
- Seven courts, one fully accessible.
- Lighting and benches in a gathering area.
- A connection to Burbank Arena parking.
- Post-tensioned concrete surface, the most expensive element.
Select Board members expressed concerns about the cost.
“I don’t think anyone anticipated a number like this.” – (Mark Dockser)
“This is a bigger number than I was expecting.” – (Karen Herrick)
Why Is the Price So High?
The courts are designed with post-tensioned concrete, a long-lasting surface that uses a steel grid beneath the concrete for stability. This is necessary due to unstable ground conditions caused by unconsolidated glacial deposits.
Mark Novak, principal designer at Activitas, explained that concrete courts could last 25 to 50 years, while asphalt courts might only last 5 to 15 years. Choosing asphalt instead of concrete could cut $300,000 from the project cost.
Where Can Costs Be Reduced?
Several modifications could bring the cost down:
- Removing lighting: Saves $200,000
- Reducing to six courts: Saves $194,000
- Eliminating benches and trash receptacles: Saves $40,000
- Skipping new tree plantings: Saves $36,000
- Using asphalt sidewalks instead of concrete: Saves $17,000
“I can see a savings of $300,000,” said Select Board Chair Carlo Bacci, who is also a pickleball instructor. “For me, I’m looking at this as $1.6 million.”
Funding Possibilities
Beyond budget cuts, other funding sources could help offset costs.
- The Burbank Fund has $400,000 available for the project.
- The Reading Pickleball Players Association has raised around $200,000.
With these contributions, the final cost will be significantly lower than $1.89 million.
What’s Next?
Select Board member Chris Haley suggested the cost needs to drop below $1.5 million to gain two-thirds approval at Town Meeting.
The next step could be discussing the project at the April 2 public forum on the Killam School and Reading Center for Active Living, or it will go directly to Town Meeting for debate and a vote.
News in Brief: Pickleball Courts in Reading
The Select Board in Reading, Massachusetts, was surprised by the $1.89 million estimate for seven pickleball courts at Symonds Way. Cost-cutting measures, along with $600,000 in external funding, could lower the total before the project goes to Town Meeting for a vote.
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