Pickleball Courts Coming To Peconic

SOUTHOLD, NY — A sport that's rapidly growing in popularity will soon have a permanent home in Southold Town.

Discussing his tentative 2018 budget, Southold Town Supervisor Scott Russell said the town will construct three new pickleball courts at Tasker Park, which will be funded out of the parks and recreation budget, a budget neutral item. In recent years, the town allowed pickleball on a re-striped tennis courts.

When pickleball enthusiasts first approached the town, Russell said at first the board wasn't sure of the public's interest in the game.

Now, he said, "I'm asking if three courts is enough. It's become so popular."

At this week's town board work session, Russell said the goal was to hone in on a specific plan and get a sense of the costs involved.

Janet Douglass, Southold Town's recreation director, said typically, two pickleball classes had been offered but this year, that number was reduced to one because the teacher had a conflict.

Southold Town, she said, is "far behind" what other nearby towns are offering, despite the fact that pickleball's popularity is evidenced in the fact that the numbers of residents playing outnumbers those participating in tennis. The town was losing revenue because the maximum number of students had to be lowered despite the growing demand, she said.

Jeff Standish, Southold Town's director of public works, said issues have arisen with pickleball players using the tennis courts, including lowering the nets.

Also, he said, chalk had to be used to draw in the pickleball lines on the tennis courts.

Councilman Jim Dinizio asked if the three new pickleball courts can be repurposed as tennis courts, should the sport's popularity wane in future years.

Standish said no, the cost would be too prohibitive.

"I don't see pickleball going away," Douglass said, adding that it's a sport popular for all ages, including seniors.

Looking ahead, Standish said, the plan is to install three courts; with costs including a fence.

The cost would be approximately $50,000 to create three pickleball courts, he said.

The courts would be located at Tasker Park; Russell said Cochran Park is developed with assets already and parking is an issue.

At Tasker Park, Russell said, there is room for expansion and parking, should the need for additional courts arise.

Also, Douglass said, there's less wind at Tasker Park.

Standish said some residents have already been asking about lights at the pickleball courts, but the first objective is to get the courts created.

"Baby steps," he said. "Let's get this built."

Russell said next steps involved developing specs so the town board can put the project out to bid.

"It's amazing how popular pickleball has become," Southold Town Councilman Bob Ghosio said.

Justice Louisa Evans said she's played in a school gym and found it a fun sport.

Main photo Patch file photo.

Town board photo by Lisa Finn.