The tennis courts at Palm Ridge Recreation Center will be renovated into eight pickleball courts along with a rest area and a sound barrier.
Tempe-based Archi-CAD Architects, LLC, and the Recreation Centers of Sun City West staff revealed plans and renderings to a group of 70 residents on Thursday at Palm Ridge.
The tennis courts would be converted into four pickleball courts on one side with a shaded area in the center and four more courts on the opposite side. A sound barrier known as an “Acoustifence” is expected to be installed next to the complex along Dusty Trail.
Governing board member Nolan Reed said he was pleased with the plans but would like to see a sound barrier along Deer Valley Road next to the complex as well.
“I like the ideas but feel they need to put a barrier on the other side so neighbors might not complain about the noise there,” Reed said.
Some pickleball and tennis players have been at odds over the project.
Tennis club members believe no further accommodations should be made for pickleball players who have courts at R.H. Johnson Recreation Center.
Mal Jacobson, an avid tennis player, said she liked the architect renderings but doesn’t believe there is a need for the new pickleball courts.
“I just don’t think it’s fair and necessary because they’ve already spent money for pickleball courts and plan to spend even more,” Jacobson said.
Cindy Knowlton, recreation manager for RCSCW, said the association has worked closely with the architect on designs they feel would please residents and players.
Knowlton said design plans will be submitted to the Maricopa County Planning and Zoning for the approval. That process could take a couple of months, she said. Construction is not expected to begin until the end of the year or beginning of 2013.
The pickleball club is funding part of the project with $70,000.
John McFarland, president of the pickleball club, said he’s happy with the plans for the courts.
McFarland said he also worked with RCSCW staff and the architects on the project to come up with something that pleased everyone.
“All that we asked for was a place where we could play because we have a growing club and a growing sport,” McFarland said.
Mitchell Vantrease can be reached at 876-2526 or mvantrease@yourwestvalley.com.
SCWBob posted at 4:02 pm on Thu, Jul 26, 2012.
The tennis courts by R H Johnson are basically only used in the morning. They are a drain on the people of Sun City West. The rec center needs to get off its behind and monitor the use of these courts. We still have too many outside residents using our facilities.