The players said that the courts at Sunset Park would not work because they were not the right size to build 4 pickleball courts on. I do know that the courts are not used or hardly used for tennis. I am hoping the video will clarify this issue with regard to dimensions. Ald. Ankiewicz objected to Sunset and when asked by Ald. Mayszak why, he was not agreeable to sharing the noisy game with residents in other parts of town. Upon questioning, he made the statement that he wished to see it left at the 28th St Park in spite of the problems with the location. In his words, there were only a few naysayers to that location. He wished to have it at that location next summer, period.
The pickleball players were agreeable to an enlarged or added on court to Washington Park but complaints were made that the tennis courts are used by both LP and St Bede for tennis and unless the additional court is built the players would be interfering with that use.
I think the most memorable comment came from Jim Grabowski after Ald. Perez reminded him that the video he put on the internet showed pickleball being portable and able to be played on streets and parking lots. Grabowski then stood up and said he wished to comment on that and at that point he said "I am offended that you think I should play in a parking lot or street". Make your own judgement on that comment. The words may not be exact but the jist of the comment is accurate.
34 comments:
As a former High School Sectional Champion at St. Bede Academy I was offered many scholarships/tuition waivers to play tennis beyond high school. I must say that even debating the expansion of pickle ball courts at the expense of current tennis courts is absurd. I can honestly say that I was able to achieve what I did thanks in large part to privately and publicly funded tennis lessons at all of our local courts. If removing tennis courts to make room for pickle ball (which is not a registered high school or collegiate sport) is truly in the best interest of future generations then perhaps we should also consider replacing basketball courts with shuffle ball courts and football fields with bocce ball courses.
This issue can only be resolved in court. The comments clearly support the fact it causes a public nuisance. It cannot be moved because it would subject others to a horrible noise.
Alderman A may be fine with it simply harming a few who apparently are not his friends, but I would hope a judge might see the total lack of logic and award damages based on the open admission by all involved.
Mistakes CAN be rectified. This is entertainment, not a mandatory and critical city service. The fact it is taking so long for the politicians to simply shut it down is ridiculous.
6:28 We need someone like you on the Rec Board here in Peru.
Anon 6:28 Congratulations on your success in tennis. Recently the pickle ball court - tennis court disagreements were not about one court replacing another but rather noise factors and location.
No one has stated that removing a tennis court to make room for a pickle ball court is the final solution. Instead a tennis court is being transferred into a pickle ball court to see if pickle ball popularity in the future warrants the construction of a court of its own.
As for the best interests of future generations you might want to compare the trend of age groups because with the combination of the "baby boom" and longevity there is going to be a need of a sport similar to tennis which is not near as fast.
It is good of you to realize that with the changing economy in our country plus the longer life span that consideration of present sport facilities will have to become adaptable with the times, demands and needs.
All athletic facilities should have as many multiple uses as needed along with short and long range planning i.e. we do not need a beautiful track such as IVCC had to be allowed to turn to seed.
First off, I remember having pickle ball in high school gym class and loving it. It was lots of fun and did provide an outlet for some of the non athletic students to have fun as the pace of the game leveled the playing field with the athletic students. The thing that bothers me the most (and I may go off on a tangent here, but please follow with) is that the college is trying to cancel the tennis program permanently as they have already put the sport on a "probationary period" of sorts. Rather than eliminate the sport locally, why are our leaders (who have many connections with the leaders at the college) wasting time and efforts in deciding what to do in regards to pickle ball v. tennis? Why can't both sports co-exist? Instead of deciding on "either/or" let's decide on "both". By eliminating the courts and having this argument, we are sending a message to the college, to tournament organizers, to our future athletes that tennis is a dying sport and not a legitimate path to success. We are not doing the future due diligence by eliminating another way to help them afford a college education. Maybe I'm crazy but it seems to me our local leaders are trying to please a few loud voices at the expense of the majority.
-Anonymous 6:28
Boccee ball course.. Now we're talking!
11:16 what are you saying? Leave the pickleball courts where they are? This is unacceptable.
Lets look at all possible locations in Peru, then determine which location is furthest from any residence then place the trial pickleball court there. After the trial period, then the city can build a pickleball court with sound baffles.
You are taking the same amount of existing tennis courts out of service no matter where you do it, so why not do it where it does not violate Illinois Pollution Control board sound laws? If you are saying the residents who complain are a loud minority, you can apply that to any secondary sport, like tennis. Why not ignore tennis completely in favor of football and basketball, since the vast majority prefer those sports. It is not so much about majority in this case, majority elects officials who can protect and balance individual rights. In this case , this was not done in any way shape or form.
Lois how could you possibly know the frequency of use for the sunset park tennis court? That's the major flaw with a blog like yours, you post so many mistruths to support your side it impossible to answer them all.
I too would like to thank alderman Mayszak for not only her time and effort regarding this issue but for her compassion for all citizens of Peru, not just those in her ward or those who are prominent individuals. I too believe her idea of introducing pickle ball to all the tennis courts is an excellent idea. It allows those at the east end of town, the west end of town, and the middle of town to experience the game if they so desire. After the 3 year probationary period, and an accounting of its' success or failure then a decision can be made (by the city council) whether to move forward or cease to exist.
This weekend there are alot of Halloween parties around town. A costume as a pickleball court- I might go as. WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO TO BE ABLE TO USE A Paddle and ball? Is there a sign out sheet? Can I keep for fri. p.m., Sat. All day, sun. , until midnight? I have alot of parties to attend. It will be interesting to see other peoples reactions to my costume. I would bet that 95% + people will have no idea of what pickleball is and how it's played! I'll report my survey next week! I need paddle and ball. I guess I can buy a 99 cent paddle and rubber ball with a rubber band attached at Wal-mart if need be. If anyone can let me know an answer to my questions above, I would be truly grateful. Thank You.
11:35 AM
You might have the courtesy to ask how I know that. I had a conversation with Ald. Potthoff early on in the pickleball controversy. He told me the courts were not used very often and he also said this would have never happened in Sunset Park. Why? He lives a few doors away from the park.
I too was privy to the conversation Lois mentions at 1:02 with alderman Potthoff. There was also another resident who lives by the park who made the same statement - "that the tennis court at Sunset is seldom used." So 11:35 I guess the major flaw has been fixed - right?
What did Ald. Potthoff mean by saying this would never have happened at Sunset Park? That he would never have permitted the pickle ball courts to be located there or that the residents of the area would have been happy to have them at Sunset Park? If he means the latter a accepting location has been found?
For sure if Washington Park becomes a unacceptable location the third and possible permanent location, Sunset Park, has been found. Thank you Alderman Potthoff.
5:08 PM
meaning it would not be located in Sunset Park so close to homes. Trying to exploit the 28th st park for the pickleball aficionados is nothing more than bully tactics by some aldermen involved in consistently insisting that yes it will remain there because my favorite people like it there.
Correct me if I am wrong, but I believe one of the alderman's parents live right next to the court at Sunset. Could someone please verify?
6:00 that is absolutely correct. Alderman Radtke's parents live right next to the tennis court. It would be a very similar situation to 28th St Park if Washington Park does not work out.
Affirmative 6:00
Why would Washington Park not work out? Why would Sunset Park not work out? I don't understand how 28th Street Park seemed to be okay but no other park in Peru seems suitable for this controversial game. Somebody please explain. You surely do not think that it has anything to do with who lives near where - DO YOU?
I do not think that it has anything to do with who lives near where - nor do I believe that harassment and/or discrimination exist in Peru.
10:59, have you hit yourself in the head too many times with the pickleball paddles? If so, please consider a brain scan. Although, I'm not a doctor, just suggesting it.
Maybe 10:59 is being sarcastic!
Top ten reasons to support pickleball at 28th Street.
10. The name makes me giggle
9. It is adapted to let old people pretend they are still athletes.
8. It gets irritating people away from their neighbors so they can gather in one spot.
7. It's rad , man. way rad.
6. Chicks dig paddles
5. Keeps attention away from boring issues like city toxic waste sites
4. Pizza Man can't let Pizza Lady be the only one to abuse their Pizza Power.
3. Teaches kids it's not what you know but who you know.
2. Ping pong is for wimps
1. Gives the Positive in Peru ad bicycle SOMETHING to claim as progress.
Not to change the subject or blow whistles, just enquiring mind wants to know. The City Electric employees were changing private property lights at JP Chevrolet in their parking lot. Is this a service the city provides at no charge?
In Florida- Retirement villages, communities have pickleball courts and tennis courts in the same complex. Goggle it and look at the ammenities! The city should have built a court at Baker Lake! That is a large area of unused land. And it wouldn't have been a few yards from taxpayers homes!!!!!! Veterans park would have been better.
Maybe 6:28 p.m. Can answer my ?. Are there college scholarships for pickleball?
Anon 1:55 Two things we know about 10:59 are:
1. he/she is not a doctor
2. she is a 100% blonde
Ten fifty nine schedule two additional appointments than normal for your electrical shock tratements this week and you'll feel better.
4:33. How do you know I'm not a he-she? You have bloggingly assaulted me. I have really big shoulders and a head and I can take it. LOL! I'm going to the mall to get
my super hero costume for Halloween parties this weekend.
Pickleballers think Veterans Park is too windy. But it's okay to put hockey players out there.
6:27 FYI Pickleballers get everything they ask for.
Me thinks 28th st. is not good enough for pickle ball, much too windy. The cement patch between Shimmers and Burger King across from The Ambassador of Pickle Balls office would be a ideal location, the buildings would shield the wind and it has no water fountain in the way.
Another pickle ball court plan has been to become incorporated with the local YMCA and its recreational activities. It was said that the YMCA has added a huge amount of land on site which was previously township property. Presently this is the best idea on the table since it solves the issue of equipment, maintenance, scheduling and management. It also takes the politics out of the equation. Y members would be covered by their membership and non-members would pay to play.
The only person who wants pickleball on 28th street is Mr. Grabowski, who is the only one with his friends that plays pickleball. I feel sorry for the neighbor who has to listen to that right behind her house all summer long.
11:41 Thank you for your support and understanding regarding the pickle ball fiasco but you should know that it affects all who live in the immediate neighborhood.
That a military veteran of thirty years and alderman for approximately 18 years and chairman of the public property committee, the committee responsible for a fair decision on the subject of location for a pickle ball site, could conduct a meeting and make phony statements and give people false hopes as he did is alarming.
The faith in the word of the Peru council is at a all time low and this type of conduct is why.
4:54 This military veteran and alderman for many years refuses to change his mind. Even though the pickle ball players themselves have said they are willing to play anywhere they keep coming up with reasons why various locations won't work. TOO SMALL, WINDY, TOO CLOSE TO NEIGHBORS! All those reasons exist in the 28th street park yet for some reason the alderman mentioned above keeps backing the players and ignoring those whose lives are being disrupted. For under $500 the game could be played next year at Sunset Park. TRY IT! Give others a chance to see the game up close and in their back yards. The city wouldn't have to pay for a port-a-potty and they could play till 10:00 at night as Sunset has lights. And remember, Sunset is not smaller than 28th Street park. THEY'RE THE SAME SIZE!!!
Post a Comment