BPR Commission Delays Recommendation for Potential 24-Court Pickleball Facility Design

BY C. JAYDEN SMITH

Concerns over the potential impacts of an $11 million project to install 24 pickleball courts at Richard T. Steed Memorial Park prompted the Beaches, Parks & Recreation Commission to postpone its decision on a preferred project design.

The group voted unanimously on Tuesday night, Aug. 8, to continue the item to a special meeting before its next regular meeting scheduled for Oct. 10, so it could then choose what plan to recommend for City Council approval.

Commissioner Jennifer Elliott was among those who expressed a reluctance into diving into the three varying designs for a facility that would house all the courts and other amenities. She said she didn’t see how the design would coexist with the existing layout within the Steed Park Master Plan.

“I’m not sure that a (design) subcommittee is needed if we could just get some more information about how this overlays with the current plan,” Elliott