A proposal for the Kentucky Tennis & Pickleball Center has sparked strong opinions among residents. Supporters believe the project could bring growth and excitement to Louisville, while opponents worry it will disrupt their neighborhood.
Will Davis, CEO of the Kentucky Tennis & Pickleball Center, called the project a “game changer” for the city. He said it would not only benefit the neighborhood where it’s proposed but also the entire city of Louisville. “We think this would be a great project for the city of Louisville, not just for this neighborhood, but all neighborhoods of Louisville,” he said.
However, Lisa Crider, a nearby resident, voiced her concerns about the impact of the development. Crider, who lives across the street from the proposed park, expressed frustration about the idea of having a large building, parking lot, and heavy traffic near her home. “We have a beautiful view. That was a big selling point for us to move there,” Crider said. “No way in our mind did we say, ‘You know what would make this better? A big building, a parking lot and cars.’”
Supporters See Opportunity for Growth
On the other hand, people in favor of the project, like Maggie Harlow, CEO of Signarama Downtown, believe the new center could bring jobs and attract national attention to Louisville.
Harlow emphasized that it could encourage more people to be active and inspire young athletes to pursue sports like tennis and pickleball. “I think that building something big, like a tennis center, that draws in national attention is a wonderful way to build jobs and build excitement,” Harlow said.
Community Meeting Draws Mixed Reactions
On Tuesday, May 6, the Kentucky Tennis & Pickleball Center held a public meeting to gather feedback. The meeting featured PowerPoint presentations and information tables where non-profit staff members could engage with the community.
Davis explained the purpose of the meeting, saying, “We want everyone to be able to have a voice today, which is why we want everything written down in comments that can be recorded and that can be completely checked out and read by us.”
However, not everyone was happy with the format of the meeting. Lisa Crider criticized the lack of a formal presentation and the need for attendees to walk around and give brief input. “Having every one of us come out here tonight is a big waste of our time to find out there’s no presentation,” she said. “They want us to walk around and give them a little input. I got input that I can’t even give.”
Discontent Over Meeting Format
Leigh Kolley, a member of the Save Joe Creason Park Group, also shared her disappointment with the meeting’s format. “We’re discouraged about the format of the meeting. It felt like what we’re calling a PR science fair,” she said.
Despite this, Kolley was encouraged by the turnout and the community’s support. “I’m just really grateful for the community, for Louisville, for park lovers, for tennis lovers who are also here showing up for the park,” she said.
Kolley expressed her excitement about the next meeting, which will take place at Saint Xavier High School on Saturday, May 10, at 8:30 a.m.
Moving Forward with Feedback
The Kentucky Tennis & Pickleball Center nonprofit plans to review the written feedback it received during the meeting. The proposal is still in its early stages, and the organization is open to making changes based on community input.
News in Brief: Kentucky Tennis & Pickleball Center
The proposal for the Kentucky Tennis & Pickleball Center has sparked mixed reactions in Louisville. While supporters believe it will bring economic growth and excitement, nearby residents worry it will disrupt the neighborhood. The project is still in its early stages, and feedback will be considered before any decisions are made.