Amery Pickleball Club Court Agreement: The City of Amery has approved an agreement with the Amery Pickleball Club that requires the club to pay annual fees, carry liability coverage, and share responsibility for court use and maintenance. The deal also outlines when the club will have reserved access to the public courts.
Financial Contributions
Under the agreement, the Amery Pickleball Club will pay $1,000 each year into a fund to help with future court repairs and upkeep. City Administrator Alex Mansfield said the funding level will be reviewed regularly to decide if the club can increase its contribution over time.
During an Arts, Parks, and Recreation meeting, the department recommended raising the fee to $1,500. The club declined for the first year, noting that $1,000 already makes up about one-third of its budget. Mansfield said earlier discussions started with a $500 payment before the club raised it to $1,000.
Liability Coverage
The agreement also requires the club to carry general liability insurance of up to $1 million, with the City of Amery listed as an additional insured. This protects the city if an injury occurs during court activities. Mansfield noted that these types of agreements are common for facilities like tennis courts, softball fields, and basketball courts.
Reserved Court Access
The Amery Pickleball Club will have six of the eight courts reserved on weekday mornings for members and invited public players. Two courts will always remain open for anyone to use. Mansfield stressed that the courts are still public, and no one can be turned away without an agreement in place.
Alderperson Fran Duncanson said she heard concerns from residents who felt they were turned away by the club. Mansfield clarified that no agreement was in effect at the time and that all courts were fully open.
Alderperson Sharon Marks supported the plan, saying: “I think it’s really good we take into consideration the public and having the two courts. Because when I first read through this, I was a little hesitant until I actually saw that they’re only going to be using six of the eight. I have talked to a couple of the pickleball members, and they keep inviting me to come and play, and they said that a lot of times, when they’re there playing and if somebody else comes that’s not at the club, they will welcome you and you can play with them. I think it’s a really good agreement.”
Future Possibilities
Alderperson Mike Manor asked if other clubs could set up similar deals. Mansfield responded that it is possible for other organizations to negotiate their own agreements, with revenues depending on club size.
Why It Matters
The new agreement ensures that the Amery Pickleball Club helps cover the costs of maintaining the courts while still keeping them accessible to the public. It also sets a model for how other community groups could share responsibility for city recreational spaces.
News in Brief: Amery Pickleball Club Court Agreement
The City of Amery approved a deal with the Amery Pickleball Club to share costs and responsibilities for local courts. The club will pay $1,000 annually, carry liability insurance, and reserve six courts on weekday mornings. Two courts will always remain open for public use.
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