Ballwin Plans Pickleball Court Enhancements: Ballwin is set to repair the courts at New Ballwin Park, addressing wear and tear caused by heavy use from pickleball and tennis players. The city awarded contracts for the improvements, which include resurfacing, new nets, and adding pickleball lines, with work expected to begin soon.
Upgrading Worn-Out Courts
At the March 10 Ballwin Board of Aldermen meeting, Director of Parks & Recreation Chris Conway emphasized the need for repairs.
“The courts are in very rough condition. Several cracks have formed, the net posts are starting to lean and the color coat has worn off in many areas.” – (Chris Conway)
The project will involve fixing cracks, installing new net posts, repainting lines for tennis, and overlaying two pickleball courts on the west tennis court.
Addressing Player Concerns
The courts have not been renovated in 11 years, making these updates crucial. Conway also noted the importance of adjusting the pickleball court layout.
“Also, we need to change the pickleball courts so they would be more useful regarding the direction of the rising and setting sun. That’s something our players have been asking about for quite some time now.” – (conway)
The plan ensures tennis players retain space while expanding pickleball availability. The city will also relocate existing basketball courts to a new space.
A Balanced Approach
Conway explained that past plans avoided converting a full tennis court into four pickleball courts due to demand from tennis players. Now, with eight dedicated pickleball courts in one area and five more at The Pointe, the city sees the overlay as a practical solution.
“Now that we have eight dedicated courts on that side of town and five courts on the south side of town at The Pointe, I feel for the time being, it’s a solid plan to add a dedicated court. But until then, I think the overlay is a good compromise. It will work not only for the dedicated courts Ballwin has, but also ones Manchester and Ellisville have.” – (conway)
Budget and Contracts
The city awarded a $34,860 contract to McConnell & Associates for court repairs. Additionally, E. Meier Contracting secured a separate $37,570 contract for asphalt sealing, covering walking paths and parking lots at multiple parks. The total came in under the city’s $51,000 budget for these improvements.
Looking Ahead
The updates will enhance the park’s appeal for pickleball and tennis players, ensuring safer and more functional courts. With these renovations, Ballwin continues to support the community’s growing interest in both sports while maintaining facilities for all users.
News in Brief: Ballwin Plans Pickleball Court Enhancements
Ballwin will repair courts at New Ballwin Park, adding pickleball lines and resurfacing the courts. The $34,860 project addresses wear and tear from heavy use. Asphalt sealing work is also planned across city parks. The upgrades aim to improve playing conditions for pickleball and tennis enthusiasts.
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