Wildwood Drive Pickleball Court Decision: On July 17, 2025, the River Bend Town Council approved a plan to build two pickleball courts near 115 Wildwood Drive. The decision passed after Mayor Mark Bledsoe broke a 2-2 tie during the council meeting, moving the $85,000 project forward.
Split Decision on Spending
Councilman Jeff Weaver made the motion to award the construction contract to Recreational Ventures, Court One, based in Youngsville. Councilman Brian Leonard and Councilwoman Lisa Benton voted against the plan. Councilman Buddy Sheffield was absent due to a family emergency.
Town Manager Delane Jackson explained that Buddy Sheffield missed the meeting because his elderly mother-in-law’s health was worsening.
Brian Leonard supported the idea of adding courts but disagreed with the timing and cost. River Bend currently has $42,000 saved for parks and recreation. That amount covers only half of the court project.
To cover the rest of the cost, Jeff Weaver suggested using the council’s $50,000 discretionary fund or pulling from the town’s $1.6 million general fund.
Delane Jackson later confirmed the town will use the discretionary fund to complete the project.
Concerns Over Budget Use
Brian Leonard said he did not agree with using those funds so early in the budget year.
“I think we would be fiscally irresponsible if we use our discretionary funds at the very beginning of the fiscal year,” said Leonard.
He also pointed out the town has a goal to raise its capital reserve fund to $2 million.
“If we keep dipping into that reserve fund, even at $40,000 a pop, we’re never going to get there,” Leonard said.
Lisa Benton also opposed the timing of the project.
“We are financially very conservative in River Bend and we are one of the healthiest towns in eastern North Carolina because of our conservative nature,” said Benton. “I believe that we can plan for this and have it done next year, but I do not believe and I am not in favor of doing it right now under the current proposed funding.”
Final Vote and Public Response
Jeff Weaver argued that the town had already spent time and effort planning the courts and should move forward.
“Delaying now likely means increased costs and diminished momentum in the future,” Weaver said. “This project is fully planned, modest in cost and supported by our own community data.”
Mayor Mark Bledsoe, who had the final vote, said he had given the issue a lot of thought. He admitted the recent 4% property tax increase made the timing difficult but felt the project would benefit the community.
“The long-term benefit for me is to see what’s going to best suit the residents of River Bend,” Bledsoe said. “And with that, I’m going to have to vote yes for the pickleball court.”
After his vote, residents in the meeting room cheered and applauded the decision.
News in Brief: Wildwood Drive Pickleball Court Decision
River Bend Town Council approved building two pickleball courts after Mayor Mark Bledsoe broke a tie vote. The $85,000 project will be partly paid for with parks funds, and the rest will come from the council’s discretionary budget. Some council members opposed the timing, but the plan is moving forward.
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