(Okoboji)– A request to build four additional pickle ball and two more tennis courts at Speier Park isn’t dead just yet, but it got a cool reception from city leaders at Tuesday’s Okoboji City Council meeting.
The cost to construct the additional pickle ball courts has been estimated at $400,000. That same amount has been estimated for the additional tennis courts. That doesn’t include designing and engineering, along with upgrades to parking and access to the new courts. A couple of council members expressed concern over the costs and who would be responsible.
Councilman Jim Delperdang said he’s been getting an earful from constituents about the request, saying many are opposed to additional green space at the park being consumed by the additional courts. And Delperdang says he’s heard from neighbors concerned about noise…
“I talked to people in the neighborhood and I asked them why it took so long for them to complain and they said well, we live by a park, we’re accepting a certain level of noise, but to find out that you’re adding more pickle ball, the pickle ball courts may be even closer to our house, they found that a non-starter. They just didn’t like that at all.”
A member of a delegation advocating for the additional courts told the council they just want an opportunity to address the concerns prior to the council making a formal decision…
“I relish that opportunity to go back, look at all the factors, make a presentation, and say here, are there other factors that have not been addressed and go back and do it and go back and answer any questions you may have. This is not the time or the place to resolve all those issues.”
The council agreed to giving the group 30 days to gather the information and to come back with a formal proposal at their October meeting.
