Patterson Pickleball Court: The Wheeling City Council is set to vote on Tuesday night to spend $35,002 to resurface the Patterson Sports Complex pickleball courts using federal pandemic relief funds. However, some regular players are urging officials to rethink the plan, saying it won’t fix the courts properly and could cause more problems soon.
Background and Project Details
The resurfacing contract was awarded to Semper Fi Paving LLC of Bridgeport. This company’s bid was much lower than others: Cast & Baker bid $154,862, and Kelly Paving bid $100,361.
Semper Fi Paving also has the city’s contract for street paving and is expected to begin work soon. The money for this project comes from Wheeling’s remaining American Rescue Plan Act funds.
Players Voice Concerns About Resurfacing Quality
Scott Hedrick of Park View Lane, a USA Pickleball ambassador, spoke to the council. He said the plan is to remove just two inches from the top layer of the courts instead of rebuilding the foundation. Hedrick worried this won’t solve cracks and sinking areas, which are already deeper than two inches.
“I’m concerned that some of the cracks that exist there now are already deeper than two inches. There are also swales and ponds and channels that have sunk over the years. I’m worried that we’re going to spend this money … put two inches on and refinish it, and then in one or two freeze seasons in Wheeling, it’s going to open up again.” – (Hedrick)
“Now people are coming to our location because we have courts all around the small neighborhoods of Wheeling. I’m very much looking forward to the resurfacing of the courts over in Elm Grove at Patterson. Pickleball is a sport that most people realize has exploded over the last couple of years. But I urge you at the next reading of this to not approve this proposal and consider going back and re-doing the whole thing so that we can have beautiful pickleball courts and have events, tournaments and things here that draw people to the area for many years to come — not just a short-term fix.” – (Hedrick)
Hedrick expressed gratitude for Wheeling’s past support of pickleball but urged the council not to approve the current plan, saying, “consider doing it right so it will last a long, long time.”
Diana Mey of Applewood Drive, who has played pickleball for nine years, agreed. She called Patterson her home court and said the cracks are deeper than two inches.
“I’ve been playing pickleball for about nine years now, and consider Patterson to be my home court. I am also concerned, having experience at Patterson, that the cracks that are existing right now are deeper than two inches. I fear that we’re going to spend this money and that we’re going to have a problem in another year or shortly thereafter.” – (Diana Mey)
“I don’t think it’s going to be sufficient to take care of the problem.” – (Diana Mey)
Official and Community Views
Councilman Dave Palmer, who represents Elm Grove, supports pickleball but reminded residents that city courts are not professional-level facilities.
“City government is similar to a household, we have to live within a budget, and we do the best we can to provide recreational options for our residents.” – (Dave Palmer)
In September last year, the council gave a $71,624 contract to Recreation Resources USA for improvements at the Patterson Sports Complex, but that contract did not include resurfacing the courts, as Mey pointed out.
Mey also criticized the earlier plan for four pickleball courts at the Edgington Lane playground. She said the court lines were painted too close to the fence, and when repainted, two courts were removed.
“It’s embarrassing watching smaller cities and communities around Wheeling opening brand new, first-rate pickleball courts all the while Wheeling struggles to open a single court done right.” – (Diana Mey)
News in Brief: Patterson Pickleball Court
Wheeling plans to spend $35,002 to resurface pickleball courts with pandemic relief funds. Players Scott Hedrick and Diana Mey warn the fix is too shallow and will not last. Councilman Dave Palmer urges budget caution. Concerns about past court projects remain as players seek better facilities.
ALSO READ: Bowling Green Scores Safer Play: 8-Foot Fence Approved for Haskins Road Pickleball Courts