Town to consider no more than $100,000 to build pickle ball courts

By Scott Benjamin

BROOKFIELD – Now with a state grant in hand, the town appears primed to build four pickle ball courts on the municipal campus near Pocono Road.

Community Development Specialist Greg Dembowski told the Board of Selectman at its regular meeting on October 2 that Brookfield had been awarded a $489,000 Small Town Economic Assistance Program grant from the state for the project.

Initially there had been plans to construct courts at Williams Park near Whisconier Road. However, some neighbors objected during the public comment portion of the selectmen’s August regular meeting.

Dembowski said the estimated overall cost of the project, which would also include ADA access from the parking lot to the courts, is $589.000.

In a news release, First Selectman Tara Carr praised Parks & Recreation Director Laura Murphy “and her team” for making the proposed project possible.

Murphy stated in the news release that currently the town only has the lines drawn for two pickle ball courts on tennis courts at Cadigan Park near Candlewood Lake Road. She stated that the proposed project at the municipal campus “would free up the tennis courts at Cadigan.”

Dembowski said in a phone interview with Patch.com that Murphy has indicated that there often are “waiting lines” for the two courts at Caidgan Park.

“The sport is becoming more popular,” said Dembowski.

He said that he believes the selectmen will set a date soon for a special town meeting. He said if the town approves no more than $100,000 for the remaining costs of the project, the next step would be to go out to bid and then embark on considerable planning and site development.

Dembowski estimated that construction could start by April and the courts could be open by next summer.

The municipal campus parcel was purchased through a referendum in 1981 as part of the construction of the municipal center, which opened in 1983.

Among other things, the site includes a soccer field and a bandstand.