Parks, Recreation and Facilities Department Sunset Park and Coffinger Park Courts
In 2013, the Parks, Recreation and Facilities Department began meeting with the Wickenburg Pickleball Club in Wickenburg to come up with a creative solution for a space to play. The Town striped the basketball court to create four pickleball courts and the court became a dual purpose surface. Also, the Town completed exterior fencing of the court, which had been left open in previous years and was frequently vandalized.
In the 2015/ 16 budget, the Town Council requested that staff look for ways to incorporate a permanent solution for pickleball. Staff first looked into the projected cost of building new courts at Sunset Park, but the expense would be $100,000 or more. Staff then explored converting the Sunset Park tennis courts into pickleball courts based on usage and projected growth. Staff held a public meeting at Sunset Park and presented the options of a new facility that could take 5- 10 years and more than $100,000 to build, or a resurfaced facility within a year for under $25,000. The meeting participants agreed on the second option. Staff continued working with the Wickenburg Pickleball Club and agreed it was appropriate to create space for 6 pickleball courts instead of 4.
The project proposal would call for resurfacing the existing two tennis courts at Sunset Park to install six pickleball courts in the same surface area. The two existing courts at Coffinger Park would be crack sealed and resurfaced with new paint to bring the courts up to excellent condition. The projects goal would be to balance the courts available in Town for tennis, pickleball and basketball to reflect current and future projections in parks and recreation. Staff do not advise having pickleball courts at Coffinger Park due to the noise levels the sport produces.
The Town currently has the following courts: (2) Tennis Courts at Coffinger Park (2) Tennis Courts at Sunset Park (1) Hybrid Basketball/ Pickleball Court at Sunset Park
Courts will be crack filled and resurfaced. Minor drainage issues will be addressed to alleviate the pooling of rain water on courts. Issues of vandalism and perimeter surface issues were reported during our public meetings. Perimeter rock will be removed. Staff has added a routine inspection plan and will work with WPD on addressing security concerns. Perimeter surface, fencing, signage, and lighting will also need to be improved and are not included in this project.
Tennis Courts will be resurfaced from (2) Tennis Courts to (6) Pickleball Courts Perimeter fencing, signage, and lighting will be improved.
The Wickenburg Town Council approved $20,000 in the FY 15/ 16 budget toward Pickleball Courts from Parks and Recreation Impact Fees. The Wickenburg Pickleball Club has committed to raising $10,000 toward the project. They are here tonight to present a portion of those funds to start the court resurface project. In the next item on the Council Agenda you will have an opportunity to add funding to repair the fence, perimeter surface, and lighting needs at Coffinger Park.
If approved, construction would begin immediately. The courts would need to be resurfaced in November or have to wait until February or March due to temperatures. Sunset Park Renovation: ◦ November 16 th – November 22 nd Coffinger Park Renovation: ◦ November 23 rd – November 29 th
Staff has made the community aware of the proposed changes through The Wickenburg Sun, social media, postings at the park, and a community meeting. The comment period was open through the end of October. At the community meeting, the audience had over 95% in favor of the proposal. The Town has received 34 participant comments, emails and phone calls in response to the proposed project. All together, 89% of contacts were in favor of the proposed project.
The Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission recommends approval of the project. Staff recommends proceeding with conversion of the tennis courts at Sunset Park to pickleball courts, resurfacing the tennis courts at Coffinger Park, and returning the basketball court to its primary use (pickleball can be a secondary use, when needed). Questions?
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