Commission weighs converting under‑causeway Lehman basketball court to tennis or pickleball; staff to gauge demand

Commissioners discussed whether to convert the under‑causeway Lehman Basketball Court into tennis courts or a pickleball facility.

Commissioner Joseph said he had asked staff to look into converting the "unused basketball court underneath the causeway to tennis court, 1 or 2 tennis courts if possible." Parks staff reported the existing paved area measures about 97 by 50 feet, while a standard tennis court requires roughly 120 by 60 feet. "It would it's not big enough currently. You need a 120 by 60 for tennis. We only have 97 by 50 that is currently there," the staff member said, adding an expansion to meet tennis dimensions would cost "approximately $100,000." The staff member recommended first opening the new courts at Intercoastal Sports Park and measuring public demand before making capital investments at the Lehman site.

Commissioners raised additional issues: basketball demand at the existing court, acoustics and echoing under the bridge for racquet sports, and whether a smaller game like pickleball might fit the space but could create noise concerns. No formal action was taken; commissioners directed staff to open and operate the Intercoastal Sports Park tennis courts and report reservation and usage data so the commission can assess demand for additional courts or conversions.

Next steps: staff to monitor reservations and usage at Intercoastal Sports Park and return with data and cost estimates if further action is requested.