The Battle for Courts: Round 2
SBINSIDER REPORTING| November 17, 20224
About four years ago, the Pickleball club was in the process of adding new courts to the existing ones. As part of the process, Robson Inc. which then controlled HOA2 facilities, agreed to allow the pickleball club to commandeer two tennis courts in the Preserve until the construction was completed.
The playing of pickleball was not welcome by Preserve residents, as their HOA agreement specifically listed tennis courts as the amenity in that area, not pickleball. Too, residents did not like the noise factor that accompanies the sound of the ball striking. The Tennis Club also objected for obvious reasons, but because Robson still controlled the courts, there was little they could do.
However, upon completion of the extra pickleball courts, the tennis courts did revert to tennis courts and it seemed to be a settled issue.
Recently, the pickleball club made a presentation to the Recreation committee of HOA2, in which tennis courts 9 and 10 would be permanently converted to pickleball courts due to the increase of the number of resident players.
The HOA1 tennis club was represented at the fitness committee meeting and raised its expected objections to the proposal. As the courts are now under control of the HOA2 board, it is within their purview to grant the request for the change, as it is not prohibited by any HOA2 governing rules. Plus, there are no problems with noise as resident homes are far away. Tennis club President Mike Dunbar was told that the tennis club has 30 days to respond. Dunbar objected to the time frame in that it was new to the committee and it appeared they had worked on the conversion proposal for a long period of time, but the 30 day response time stands.
One of the problems that could arise is parking. Pickleball has more players per court, engendering more traffic that already is crowded by people using the activities building nearby.
The Tennis club membership meets this Wednesday to consider its response.
