Buttery Brook Park Pickleball Court Repairs: The South Hadley Selectboard voted on August 12 to approve $175,000 to fix grading problems on new pickleball courts at Buttery Brook Park. The funding depends on a $50,000 grant from U.S. Pickleball and a $91,000 donation from the Friends of Buttery Brook Park.
Concerns About Court Safety
The four new pickleball courts are part of a major renovation project at the park. However, the courts were built with a slope of about 2%. While the designer said this meets ADA standards, players argued it is unsafe and double the normal standard for pickleball courts.
Kim Prough, president of the Friends of Buttery Brook Park, raised concerns at the meeting. She explained that some parts of the court slope even more than 2%, while the standard is between .83% and 1%.
“More than 300 people have signed a petition to have the court fixed. Every time I am at the courts, people come up to me and ask what’s going on with the courts.”(Kim Prough)
Financial Strain on the Town
Because the courts were designed with a 2% grade, the project must go back out to bid, which means the town must cover the costs. Several board members and residents questioned how this mistake was overlooked.
At the same time, South Hadley faces financial pressures. The Hampshire County Group Insurance Trust recently raised health insurance premiums by 20% for member towns, starting October 1.
Town Administrator Lisa Wong warned that this could force South Hadley to dip into free cash and possibly make staff cuts later in the year.
Selectboard member Andrea Miles, who serves on the budget task force, called the financial outlook “deeply grim.” She voted against spending the money on the courts, suggesting the town should “pause and wait” instead.
Despite her concerns, the other members of the board voted in favor of the funding.
Why It Matters
The repairs will address safety concerns raised by residents and players, but the additional cost comes at a difficult time for the town. As South Hadley manages rising expenses, balancing recreational improvements with financial stability will remain a challenge in the months ahead.
News in Brief: Buttery Brook Park Pickleball Court Repairs
The South Hadley Selectboard approved $175,000 to repair grading issues at the new pickleball courts in Buttery Brook Park. The funding includes grants and donations. While residents raised safety concerns, some officials worried about the town’s financial struggles. Despite opposition, the board voted to move forward with the project.
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