Unauthorized Pickleball Court Paint Job: An unexpected act of vandalism has left the Grand Rapids School District grappling with an unusual problem: a pickleball court painted on its tennis courts. This incident frustrates the tennis program and threatens the school’s ability to host future tournaments.
Unexpected Vandalism
The situation began to occur in late July when Superintendent Matt Grose received inquiries from a buildings and grounds employee about the unauthorized painting. “Everybody was like ‘No, did you?’ ‘No, did you?’ ‘No, did you?'” Grose recounted. The confusion and disbelief were noticeable as it became clear no one in the district had approved the modifications. The vandals painted the pickleball court and left behind a portable net, though they have yet to return.
“And we were all sort of in a state of disbelief that this would have happened without anybody from the school district being consulted, and we all I think assumed that we’d eventually find the person that gave the okay.” – (Grose)
Impact on the Tennis Program
The timing of the vandalism is particularly challenging for the district’s tennis program, which was nearly eliminated earlier this year due to budget cuts. The girls’ tennis team, set to start their fall season, now faces disruptions. “It affects either how many games can be playing at the same time, or it affects the quality and integrity of play on that court,” Grose explained. While the tennis coach has repainted enough of the court for practice, a complete fix is required.
Costly Repairs
The repair process is expected to be extensive and costly, with estimates exceeding $10,000. “You have to sand the whole surface down, resurface it, reline it,” Grose detailed. The funds for this will come from the district’s capital improvement budget, diverting resources from other essential areas like classrooms and buildings.
“and this person comes from out of state or wherever they’re coming from, it adds up. And they’re coming out here just to do one court.” – (Grose)
Investigation Underway
The district has obtained footage from the suspected time of the vandalism and has filed a police report. The Grand Rapids Police Department is seeking any information that could help identify the perpetrators. Grose compared the act of vandalism to someone spray painting the side of the school, emphasizing its broader impact.
“And it’s really affecting more kids than that, ‘cause this is affecting those tennis’ kids’ experience, making the coach’s job harder.” – (Grose)
News in Brief: Unauthorized Pickleball Court Paint Job
In late July, an unauthorized pickleball court was painted on the Grand Rapids School District’s tennis courts, leading to significant frustration and potential disruptions for the girls’ tennis team. Superintendent Matt Grose revealed the incident involved thick brown paint and a portable net left behind by the vandals.
Repair costs are estimated to exceed $10,000, impacting the district’s capital improvement budget. The district has filed a police report and is seeking information from the public. The vandalism’s impact is compared to defacing the school, affecting the tennis program’s functionality and student experience.
ALSO READ: Types of Pickleball Players: Joker To Hero
