Pickleball Scene Transforming in Oakmont: Oakmont residents are on the verge of welcoming pickleball to their community, marking an exciting development for local sports enthusiasts. Borough Manager Scot Fodi has announced that the basketball courts at Oakmont Borough Park are currently being transformed into a dedicated three-court pickleball facility. The construction of a new basketball court on the upper level of the park is progressing at a similar pace, ensuring that both facilities will enhance recreational options for residents.
“Asphalt was placed at the basketball court and then down at the pickleball court,” Fodi remarked, highlighting the ongoing improvements and the parallel timelines of the two projects.
Project Status and Future Plans
At this stage, the project is in a “holding pattern,” as Fodi explained, with the asphalt needing time to cure.
“The asphalt has to cure,” he emphasized. “The initial shiny, oily surface has to evaporate in the road, and then the contractor will be able to put down playing surfaces and the lines and the stripes.”
Once the lines have cured, the courts will officially open to the public, allowing the community to engage in this popular sport.
Amenities and Enhancements
Currently, no definitive timeline exists for completing the park updates, including the pickleball courts. In addition to the courts, a patio has been established on the western end of the basketball court, which is intended for an outdoor kitchen area that will serve as a unique feature of the park.
“The recreation board thought it would be an interesting asset to the park that you can offer an outdoor kitchen along with the pavilion,” Fodi explained, mentioning the integration of solar panels to further enhance sustainability.
Future discussions will focus on the possibility of enclosing the basketball court. Footers have already been installed for a high-roof pavilion with interior lighting over the court, and council members are contemplating the addition of solar panels on the pavilion roof to ensure the area remains self-sustaining.
“(Recreation board members) were just focusing on the grant first to get the court going, but we can certainly look at that next,” Fodi stated regarding the solar panel initiative, indicating that there are plans for further enhancements.
Funding and Support
In May, council members voted to award the contract for the Oakmont Borough Park Improvement project to Dun Rite Construction & Paving of Tarentum. The total cost of the project is approximately $251,000, funded through local tax revenue and a state Gaming Economic Development Tourism Fund grant, which is administered by Allegheny County. This financial backing underscores the commitment to improving community facilities and enhancing the quality of life for Oakmont residents.
News in Brief: Pickleball Scene Transforming in Oakmont
Oakmont is set to welcome pickleball as borough officials convert basketball courts at Riverside Park into a three-pickleball court facility. The project is currently in a holding pattern while asphalt cures, delaying further progress. There are plans for an outdoor kitchen and discussions about enclosing the basketball court, which would provide additional utility for community gatherings.
The project, estimated at $251,000, is funded by local tax dollars and a state grant. Completion timelines remain uncertain, but the community is optimistic about these recreational improvements, which promise to enhance local engagement.
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