Board Update 175 - Pickleball Court Closing Decision

 

As you no doubt know, New River Sports Park pickleball courts were permanently closed following Senior Games play on November 1.  This was a difficult decision for your SCHH Board of Directors and I believe you would like to know the background and reasoning behind this decision.

 

Since the building of the courts there has been a perceived concern about a variety of safety factors, primarily the location of the courts adjacent to the left field foul line of the softball field.  This concern had been earlier addressed by doubling the planned height of the adjacent fence.  Some pickleball players felt that a safety hazard still existed.  In April 2007, the Board of Directors responded by approving the building of new courts in the area beyond the center field fence.  However, there was no funding in the 2007 capital budget for this project.  It was subsequently decided to include funding in the 2008 capital budget, place a high priority on the construction and close the old courts upon availability of the new courts.  Most pickleball players were aware of this plan.

 

During the Q&A following the Quarterly Board Meeting, October 25, a member of the Pickleball Club addressed the Board of Directors and presented us with a petition.  The petition acknowledged the plan to build new courts, but further stated: “…we are currently using courts that are unsafe due to foul balls from the softball field, short space behind the court baselines, etc. resulting in injuries and accidents.  Further delay will only lead to more injuries and accidents.” 

 

Two things are important about that statement.  First, unknown to the Board, the safety hazard went from a perceived concern to a hazard that has actually “… result(ed) in injuries and accidents.”  Secondly, the Community Association and specifically your Board was publicly put on notice that we have a safety hazard within the Community.

 

Since the 25^th, the Board has met on two occasions and given thoughtful consideration to our Community-wide responsibilities and alternative actions.  We received advice from both our Community Association Counsel and the Developer’s attorney.  The Board decided to recommend the subsequent action to the Executive Director.  This was determined to be in the best interests of the entire Community Association.

 

In addition to closing the courts, we are making provision to provide temporary courts on existing hard surfaces and will expedite building new courts upon the approval of the 2008 capital budget.