Pickleball club offers to fund $35K–$40K LED upgrade; board raises questions over public access and terms-of-use

Representatives of the Fountain Hills Pickleball Club told the board they would fully fund conversion of the west‑side, 50‑foot sodium light fixtures to LED at an estimated cost of $35,000–$40,000, and asked the district to consider extending the club's terms‑of‑use agreement beyond its current 12/31/2026 end date.

Diane Newcomb, vice president of the club, told the board the upgrade would be energy‑efficient and reduce glare for neighbors and that the club would cover the cost: "Pickleball Club would fully fund that. It would be no cost to the school at all." She said the club has invested about $40,000 this year resurfacing courts and that additional capital projects could require further investment.

Several board members pushed back on access issues. One member said the facility was originally presented as public courts and said residents have since complained about being locked out of courts they understood to be public. Newcomb responded the club registered as a 501(c)(7) and that closed membership is an internal requirement to maintain tax status and sustain club operations.

The board did not vote on the lighting request; members were told the item will return for action at a later meeting. Board members asked staff to confirm whether the terms of the original facilities‑use agreement have changed since initial approval and requested clarity about ensuring community access if the district extends or renews the club's agreement.

Next steps: the district will bring the lighting/terms‑of‑use request back for formal consideration and provide documentation of the original agreement terms and any changes that affected public access.