At Rideout, let’s have one court for tennis and six for pickleball
When Emerson Field is discussed next year, I seriously doubt that dedicated PB courts will be considered there.
I have been playing pickleball (PB) in Acton since 2018, both outdoor at Rideout Field and indoor at Hunt gym. It continues to be a growing sport to a very wide range of ages. I was very disappointed at the December 1 Recreation Rideout Subcommittee recommendation to resurface Rideout with the current configuration of dedicated tennis courts with PB lines added, instead of Option 3 providing six pickleball courts and one tennis court. This would not increase the number of PB courts currently being used and would leave one court totally dedicated for tennis. The noise level does not increase — still only six PB courts.
Having dedicated PB courts means to have not only one set of lines, but also the permanently set-up nets. Currently, we players set them up and take them down. That takes time that we would rather use in play. I don’t think people realize that the Recreation Department does not provide our nets; collectively we chip in to purchase and maintain them ourselves.
I have heard it said that our town needs dedicated PB courts, just not at Rideout. Everyone knows funds are very limited. Let’s be realistic: When Emerson Field is discussed next year, I seriously doubt that dedicated PB courts will be considered there. If money is an issue for resurfacing, I would assume building new courts from scratch is simply out of the question.
If there are going to be any dedicated PB courts in Acton, then Rideout is the only possibility I see in the next 20 years. Therefore, I ask that Option 3 be reconsidered for Rideout. It still provides multi-use, but without multi-lines. And it provides both sets of nets needed for play.
Chuck Slagen
Old Mill Road
