Parks committee approves $16,050 change order for George Forest handball courts; weighs converting Flood courts to pickleball

The Parks and Recreation Committee unanimously approved a $16,050 change order to add a beige/tan floor painting to the George Forest handball courts, and debated a proposal to convert two Flood tennis courts into six dedicated pickleball courts.

Chad, a parks staff member, said the handball players requested a change in floor color because “the ball [is] more visible” on a beige surface and that the painting was not part of the original contract, noting, “the extra $16,050 is requested in change order.” Bill O’Brien moved to approve the change order and send a favorable recommendation to the Town Council; Rick Marcon seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

Committee members then discussed Flood’s aging post-tension concrete courts and Chad’s proposal to remove two tennis courts and reconfigure them as six dedicated pickleball courts while retaining two tennis courts. Chad outlined maintenance cycles and technical issues: the posts have bowed where pickleball play and net adjustments have stressed the hardware, and the surface typically needs repainting every seven to ten years.

Some members urged staff to consider townwide access and equity before making a change. Gary and others recommended evaluating potential sites in the South End so residents there have reasonable access; Drew and Chad noted a separate park planned for Ferry Boulevard will include pickleball courts but that construction is not expected until 2026 or 2027. Catherine said usage patterns support the change: “that court is always used” in spring by pickleball players.

Chad said staff will get painting and conversion quotes with alternates and return with cost estimates, and highlighted lower-cost temporary options such as adding pickleball lines with portable nets for sites the committee prefers to preserve as tennis courts. No formal vote was taken on converting Flood courts; members asked staff to bring back firm cost estimates and design options.

The committee’s approval of the change order sends the George Forest painting item to the Town Council with a favorable recommendation; the council will consider the contract amendment as part of its agenda.