Pickleball Courts Approved in Sparta: In a decisive move, the Sparta Township Planning Board approved an application from the Lake Mohawk Tennis Club (LMTC) to add more pickleball courts to its facilities. At their November 20 meeting, the board reviewed the club’s proposal, which aims to accommodate the increasing popularity of the sport among members. LMTC Vice President and Head of Facility John Whilesmith noted that pickleball players often face long waits to access the two existing temporary courts.
“Often there are 10 to 12 people waiting to play.” – (Whilesmith)
From Tennis to Pickleball: Adjusting the Layout
The plan involves converting one of the club’s four regulation tennis courts, along with some adjoining land, to create four dedicated pickleball courts. According to Whilesmith, this reconfiguration aligns with the sport’s surging popularity since the pandemic.
“Since COVID pickleball has become popular. We want to accommodate the growing need for pickleball.” – (Whilesmith)
Despite these changes, Whilesmith clarified that membership numbers are expected to remain stable. The club is near its capacity of 190 members, with no significant increase anticipated.
Support for the Transition
While some might expect resistance from tennis purists, the LMTC President voiced her support.
“I admit I’m a pure tennis player, but I can see that this is good for everyone. It’s good for our health as a community and it’s good for real estate and it doesn’t cause any harm. So thank you for your consideration.” – (Alexandra Miller Clark)
In addition to the court conversion, the plans include minor landscaping changes, such as moving a fence and transforming a paved area into a flower bed with mulch.
Unanimous Approval
The Lake Mohawk Country Club, represented by attorney Anand Dash, also supported the changes, ensuring alignment between the tennis and country club facilities. The planning board approved the application with a 5-0 vote.
News in Brief: Pickleball Courts Approved in Sparta
The Sparta Township Planning Board approved the Lake Mohawk Tennis Club’s proposal to construct four pickleball courts, addressing the growing demand for the sport. Currently, players face long waits for the existing two temporary courts.
The approved plan involves converting one of four tennis courts and making minor landscaping adjustments. LMTC leaders highlighted the benefits for community health and property values, with the application receiving a 5-0 vote. Membership capacity, currently at 190, is not expected to increase.
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