Cracked Courts Concern Fredonia Pickleball Club: Local pickleball players have asked the village of Fredonia for $910 to fix cracks in the courts at Russell Joy Park. Representatives from the Chautauqua Pickleball Club made their request to the Fredonia Board of Trustees last week, emphasizing the club’s contributions to the park and the sport’s growing popularity.
Ed Kirchmeyer, the club’s president, and Geralyn Majkowski, a United States Amateur Pickleball Association ambassador, spoke before the board. Mayor Michael Ferguson, a former pickleball leader himself, introduced them. The club, which started in 2017 with just seven members, grew to 252 players by 2024, and Kirchmeyer expects an even higher number this year.
Growth and Contributions
Kirchmeyer highlighted the club’s diverse membership, ranging from 14-year-olds to 80-year-olds, and its use of several courts in the area. The club has also made financial investments in the park, purchasing a windscreen and an automated external defibrillator (AED) for approximately $1,800 each.
“We supply our own equipment, we provide our own insurance, and this past year we also put up a windscreen at Russell Joy Park to the tune of $1,800, and we also bought an AED for the park to the tune of about $1,800,” Kirchmeyer said. “So I think we’ve been a good partner, the last couple of years, anyway.”
Repair Request and Safety Concerns
Last year, club members attempted to repair the court cracks but were only partially successful. Winter weather worsened the damage, creating deeper ruts that need further fixing.
Kirchmeyer explained that the $910 would go toward caulk to fill the cracks, adding that club members could assist with the repairs under the supervision of the village’s Department of Public Works Director, Scott Marsh.
The fix is expected to last about two years. Majkowski stressed the importance of safety, saying, “Safety is paramount, that’s what we’re mostly concerned about.”
Village Response and Next Steps
Mayor Ferguson expressed support for the request and acknowledged the club’s efforts in maintaining the park. Councilwoman Michelle Twichell suggested that the town of Pomfret, which shares responsibility for the park with the village, might also contribute.
Vice Mayor Jon Espersen confirmed that the board will discuss the request at its next meeting. When asked if club members should pay for the repairs themselves, he pointed out their history of improving the park. “They could do it themselves, but they have undertaken numerous projects around Russell Joy Park, as they outlined.”
Future Implications
If the village approves the funding, the repairs will help keep the pickleball courts safe and playable for the growing pickleball community. The decision may also set a precedent for future collaborations between the club and local government in maintaining recreational spaces.
News in Brief: Cracked Courts Concern Fredonia Pickleball Club
Fredonia’s pickleball community has asked the village for $910 to fix cracks in the Russell Joy Park courts. The Chautauqua Pickleball Club, which has grown significantly in recent years, has already invested in improvements for the park. The request will be discussed at the next trustees’ meeting.
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