Parks board hears pros, cons on pickleball courts

CHELAN - After constantly attending the Chelan Parks and Recreation board meetings, the Chelan Valley Pickleball Club will see action be taken in terms of converting the tennis courts at Don Morse Park into dual purpose to accommodate the club’s needs.

Recreation and facilities supervisor James Hayter opened the discussion by providing a little history on the tennis courts during the July 18 meeting. Hayter mentioned that in one of the court’s corners a Lions Club memorial plaque lays in honor of Paul Harper. (see The ‘memorial plaque’ for more)  Hayter then began giving a general overview of the courts. He said that the dimensions of the courts are 3 feet short and there is not enough room to place four pickeball courts per court side. However, Hayter explained that two pickleball courts on each court side could be easily done. This dual purpose option will give the public an opportunity to use the tennis court plus have two extra pickleball courts open for use. To make this happen, portable pickleball nets and a storage unit will be necessary. Hayter reported that the nets average $240, with the lowest cost one being $109 and the priciest one $350.

If the tennis courts were to be converted into all pickleball courts up to eight of them could fit into the current space - if the tennis nets were to be removed.

A member of the Pickleball club mentioned the club’s proposal to the board. “What we are proposing here is that you convert the Don Morse tennis courts into six very nice, roomy pickleball courts that will accommodate 24 players,” he said.

Lake Chelan Rotary President and Councilwoman Kelly Allen stated that other projects are also taking place and the demand at Don Morse Park is high. Allen expressed that there are alternative locations in town that would require working with other interest groups such as Chelan County PUD to add the courts.

The club also presented the option to build six pickleball courts by the ball fields behind the Chelan Senior Center. Parking and restroom facilities make this property attractive to the club. Allen made sure to let the club know that Rotary could lend them a hand with the project. “We are wanting to serve a need in our community,” said Allen.

The Pickleball club assured the board that as a club they are willing to contribute to the project with money from fundraisers. “We will throw some money to it because it is worth to us,” said a club member.

After hearing from the club members, the board agreed to move forward with the conversion of the courts to dual purpose, if there’s room in the budget to do so.