When tennis and pickleball users got together for a meeting at the H-F Racquet & Fitness Club, the one common denominator was they all support the facility. Now staff needs to find a way to accommodate them all.
space in the H-F Racquet & Fitness Club.
(Chronicle file photo)
The meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 21, was called by staff to give club users the chance to voice their concerns about proposed changes to the tennis courts. Work was set to begin Sept. 3, but their concerns went back to H-F Park District Executive Director Doug Boehm for his assessment on what can be done.
One tennis player argued the staff is “being tone deaf to the needs” of players.
Another asked that any decision be far-reaching, not just an immediate solution. Long-range planning is essential with input from club members and tennis and pickleball players, he said.
“Why are you rushing forward? Let’s get all heads together” one woman said, saying there can be a middle ground.
Pickleball players want dedicated courts. They are playing on tennis courts. Currently, two pickleball courts fit on one tennis court. To designate their play area, tape is laid down. Pickleball players say they are limited to too few courts to accommodate the number of players for open play times; especially Monday night when nearly four dozen players are there. The limited courts forces players to wait in line to start a game.
But the initial plan from the racquet club staff to add more pickleball courts left much to be desired, players say. In trying to add more courts using a different layout, pickleball players say the design put courts too close together and could cause errant balls in other courts, as well as possible injuries should players run into one another. A revised plan was presented, but not many players seemed satisfied.
Tennis players don’t want to give up any of the 10 tennis courts. The club hosts leagues and college tournaments that require eight courts. To permanently mark tennis courts for pickleball would not be acceptable to them. And, players report there are times when scheduling play time is difficult.
Jack Barton, racquet sports supervisor, said he has been trying to listen and make adjustments for both sides. He said his job is like putting a jigsaw puzzle together. Fitting all the moveable parts is tough.
One audience member suggested the park district blow out the north wall of the courts area and make a dedicated pickleball arena addition. That would leave tennis with their courts and allow for the expansion of pickleball courts for the fastest growing sport in the area. It could be a draw for players throughout the South Suburbs.
“If you don’t expand, players will find somewhere else … That has to be a priority, otherwise you’re like Blockbuster,” she told staff members, referring to the long-gone videotape store.
There were calls for growing the tennis program by getting middle and high school players interested in the sport. Pickleball players countered that their program could grow, too, if they were given space.