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Date: 1/2/2024
AMHERST — Facing mounting challenges to their proposed plan to install pickleball courts in Kiwanis Park, Assistant Town Manager David Ziomek told the Community Preservation Act Committee on Dec. 14 that the Recreation Department would be stopping their current pursuit of the project.
“We are hitting the pause button on pickleball,” Ziomek said. “And to be honest, we would like to withdraw the $100,000 request [for CPA funds].”
Ziomek said more time was needed to work with the respective community in East Amherst and North Amherst on plans to construct courts in those areas.
Two hundred twenty thousand dollars, including $120,000 in money to be raised by supporters of the pickleball courts was to be put towards previously submitted plans for Kiwanis Park. Earlier proposals for courts at Mill River Recreation Area on Montague Road, were reevaluated in favor of the South Amherst site.
Ziomek also said that the current allocation would not build pickleball courts in other parts of the town.
“The [$220,000] was really to build three pickleball courts at Kiwanis Park and that was a package,” he said. “So, it would be nice if we could just find another place in town where $220,000 builds you three pickleball courts but to be honest that is not the case.”
The Misty Meadows Property Association in South Amherst which offered opposition to pickleball court construction in Kiwanis Park, conducted research in response to site plans and CPA proposals for the courts. Concerns including noise and impact on property values were raised.
Noting that each site is different, Ziomek acknowledged that there would be challenges to over overcome concerning distance from residential areas and much higher costs to build. He also stated that the city of Northampton’s pursuit of pickleball courts brought in cost structures ranging between $300,000 and $600,000.
“We’ve looked at the other sites in town where pickleball courts could go and the noise concerns are real and we hear that,” he said. “The costs would far exceed $220,000.”
Ziomek said they may pursue funding again next year.