Brattleboro’s Pickleball Expansion: Pickleball has rapidly gained popularity in Brattleboro, attracting players of all ages from across the community and beyond. However, the town is currently limited to just four outdoor pickleball courts, shared with two outdoor tennis courts at Living Memorial Park. The courts are increasingly crowded due to a surge in players, prompting the town’s Recreation & Parks Department to seek a solution to accommodate the growing demand.
“With all the new players, the courts have become and will be more and more crowded. The Recreation & Parks Department has a solution.” – (letter)
A Plan for Expansion
The department has proposed a project to install six permanent, regulation-sized pickleball courts, which would alleviate the strain on the existing shared space. To make room for the new pickleball courts, public tennis play would be relocated to the Brattleboro Union High School courts. In addition, the project includes replacing the existing fencing and asphalt, with benches added for the convenience of players.
The total cost for the project is estimated at $150,000. Since launching the initiative in September, the department has already raised $100,000 through a combination of pledges, donations, and grants.
Financial Support and Generosity
Carol Lolatte, the Director of Recreation & Parks, shared details about the funding process in an interview on Monday. Much of the funding came through special project allocations, including a $30,000 allocation from the federal American Rescue Plan.
“We were fortunate enough to have this special project funding through the town.” – (Carol Lolatte)
This initial boost helped the department launch its capital fundraising campaign. Subsequently, a $30,000 challenge grant from the Vermont Community Foundation’s Nelson Withington Fund and a $15,000 pledge from the Thomas Thompson Trust further propelled the fundraising efforts.
“So we used that as seed money and leverage to help launch our capital fund drive then we received a $30,000 challenge grant from the Vermont Community Foundation Nelson Withington Fund then we received a $15,000 pledge from the Thomas Thompson Trust. Those are some of the biggies that really helped us take off in a positive direction.” – (Carol Lolatte)
Lolatte expressed gratitude for the ongoing support, noting that local businesses and pickleball players have also played an important role in moving the project forward.
“local businesses and pickleball enthusiasts that have really helped us get this project going in the right direction.” – (Carol Lolatte)
“The generosity has been amazing,” said Becky Day, a member of the Recreation & Parks Board and the Pickleball Project Committee.
A Community-Oriented Vision
Lolatte views the project as a win for the entire community. With a memorandum of understanding in place with the school district, public access to the tennis courts at the high school will be maintained. Lolatte emphasized that pickleball is enjoyed by a wide range of people, from young children to senior citizens, highlighting its broad appeal.
“We’re really hoping that others will consider making donations toward this project that will really benefit the broader community because everyone from young elementary school students to high school students to adults and senior citizens are enjoying the sport of pickleball.” – (Carol Lolatte)
The project’s timeline is set for July 2025, with improvements to the nearby ice skating rink taking precedence.
“so we have to get that project finished before we can do this project.” – (Carol Lolatte)
Partnership with the School District
The town has also worked closely with the Brattleboro Union High School (BUHS) to coordinate the relocation of tennis play to the school’s courts. BUHS Principal Hannah Parker emphasized that the tennis courts are not used during the summer months, ensuring minimal disruption to the school’s activities.
“We try to partner as much as we can with community organizations that are supporting our students.” – (Hannah Parker)
“Tennis courts aren’t used by the schools in the summertime so the town is going to respect when school is in session when PE [physical education] classes are taking place. The middle school does some of its recess time outside so it wouldn’t be available at that time.” – (Hannah Parker)
Additionally, the town has committed to respecting the school’s physical education schedule during the school year. Parker is optimistic about the increased availability of athletic facilities in town.
A Growing Community Effort
During the summer, the town’s outdoor pickleball courts are frequented by 15 to 25 seniors each day. A pickleball camp for school-aged children also utilizes the courts. Inside the Gibson-Aiken Center, the basketball court has been lined for pickleball play on weekday mornings and Tuesday evenings.
Lolatte noted that the park project aims to meet the increasing demand for pickleball in Brattleboro, a sport that has seen a rise in popularity over the past decade.
How to Contribute
Tax-deductible donations for the project can be made online through the “Register for Programs” section on the Recreation and Parks page of the Brattleboro government website. Alternatively, checks marked “Pickleball Project” can be sent to Brattleboro Recreation and Parks Department, PO Box 513, Brattleboro, Vt., 05302. For Becky Day, this project is particularly personal.
“It’s phenomenal. It started back in the 1970s but all of a sudden, in the last 10 years, it just exploded everywhere. At first, it started out with older people, seniors, but now it’s filtering down through the families and to the young people, and everyone loves it.” – (Carol Lolatte)
News in Brief: Brattleboro’s Pickleball Expansion
Brattleboro’s Recreation & Parks Department is seeking funding to expand its pickleball facilities, with a proposal for six new regulation courts at Living Memorial Park. The project, which has already raised $100,000 of the $150,000 goal, aims to alleviate overcrowding at the current courts.
Local businesses, community members, and generous grants have fueled the fundraising efforts. The project is set to begin in July 2025, with support from the local school district to move public tennis play to Brattleboro Union High School courts.
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