Meade Field Pickleball Courts Approval: The Peachtree City Council voted to approve a $2.3 million plan for 18 new pickleball courts at Meade Field after a tense and emotional meeting last week. The project will be funded through SPLOST and built by Tarkett, which will provide a 10-year warranty on the courts and a 50-year warranty on the concrete.
Supporters Cite Public Demand and Growth
Residents filled the council chambers to support the project, with many pointing to a 2023 referendum and community surveys showing strong backing for more courts. A pickleball club volunteer told the council,
“If council chooses not to support 18 courts, you’re not honoring the wishes of your citizens,”
noting that recreation board recommendations consistently ranked pickleball as a top priority. Others described pickleball as more than a sport, calling it a social hub for families, retirees, and regional tournaments.
“This is not a pickleball complex alone. It’s about bringing families together with a picnic area and a place for kids and neighbors.”(one supporter)
Opponents Question Cost and Timing
Councilwoman Suzanne Brown led opposition to the plan, warning the project was moving too quickly and too close to election season. She compared it to the city’s troubled hockey rink that went over budget.
“This pickleball project has been controversial from the start. Now we’re hit with a bloated project budget, a rush timeline, and a proposal that puts us in direct competition with private businesses.”(Suzanne Brown )
Brown also argued the courts should charge user fees like other high-maintenance city facilities and said taxpayers should not fund courts that nonresidents will use.
Councilman Clint Holland questioned city staff on ways to reduce costs beyond paving, which the city had already committed to handle. Officials said only a few tasks could be taken on directly, but doing so would delay other services such as mowing city parks. Holland also asked if parking lot lights could be left out to save money, but Police Chief Janet Moon quickly warned that would create safety and theft risks.
Council Defends Process and Community Input
Other council members highlighted the years of public discussions leading to the plan. Councilwoman Laura Johnson praised pickleball advocates for staying engaged.
“Good grief, how long have y’all been coming to these meetings?”
she asked, adding that the Recreation Advisory Group
“did a great job of going through this line by line.”
Mayor Kim Learnard said the courts fit the city’s tradition of building public recreation spaces and noted that residents benefit from facilities in other towns.
“That’s what municipal facilities are for. It’s clear this is what our citizens want.”(Kim Learnard)
A Charged Atmosphere and Final Decision
The meeting drew cheers, applause, and occasional boos from the packed audience. Mayor Kim Learnard repeatedly asked for calm as emotions ran high. After more than an hour of debate, the council voted unanimously to approve the plan, prompting a loud round of applause.
Erin McDowell, chair of the Recreation Advisory Group, called the decision
“a collaborative effort between the community [and] the Recreation Advisory Group,”
saying it marked one of the most engaged processes Peachtree City has seen.
Looking Ahead
Construction will move forward with Tarkett handling the project and providing long-term warranties on both the courts and the concrete. The decision ensures that Meade Field will soon host one of the city’s largest recreational additions, expected to draw local players and visitors alike.
News in Brief: Meade Field Pickleball Courts Approval
Peachtree City approved an $2.3 million plan for 18 new pickleball courts at Meade Field after a heated public debate. Supporters cited public demand, while opponents raised concerns about cost and timing. The council voted unanimously to proceed, with construction to be handled by Tarkett under long-term warranties.
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