East Lyme ― An effort by enthusiasts of the country’s fastest growing sport, combined with a $275,000 infusion from the town, will culminate next week with the grand opening of pickleball courts at Samuel M. Peretz Park at Bridebrook.
The move was spearheaded by Resident Scott Todd, who in 2022 initiated a 309-signature petition ― including 184 residents ― for dedicated pickleball courts in the town, where options had been limited to shared space on public basketball and tennis courts or the community center's multipurpose room.
“I think the demand has been there for years now, so it’s meeting a need,” Todd said in a phone interview Wednesday. “And more than that, I believe that it’s making our community even more attractive to people who may want to come and live here.”
Todd, an East Lyme resident for five years, began playing pickleball when he retired in 2021.
The new 120-foot-by-60-foot footprint with four courts is located between the softball fields and basketball courts.
A committee of residents led by Parks and Recreation Commission member Sue Kumro was charged two years ago by the Parks and Recreation Department with making recommendations about where the courts should be placed and what they should look like. The committee’s April 2023 report called for accessible courts with sufficient space for players to move around without running into the windscreen-covered fence, and for people to congregate while waiting for their turn to play.
The courts were constructed by Danbury-based BMP Construction, Inc. The funding was approved by voters as part of the 2023-24 capital budget for large, one-time expenses.
The committee based its $275,000 funding request on rough budget figures from one court builder who estimated the project would cost roughly $50,000 per court. The remaining $75,000 accounted for “design details and contingencies,” according to the report.
Parks and Recreation Department Director Jerry Lokken said the project came in at $274,278 based on the contract awarded through a cooperative purchasing network for the Southeastern Connecticut region that provides fixed prices at volume discounts.
Play has been ongoing for more than a month in what Todd described as the “soft opening” in advance of the official ribbon cutting ceremony.
Todd said an online app with about 750 members to date allows people to sign up for daily “rotational play” blocks from 8-10:30 a.m. and 5:30-8:30 p.m. While walk-ins are always welcome, the interface allows players to figure out ahead of time how many people they might expect to see at the courts.
There are typically about 20-30 players at each scheduled session, according to Todd. He said games can be shortened from the traditional 11 point framework to allow more people to rotate through when there are larger crowds.
The courts are available on a first-come, first-served basis the rest of the time.
Todd touted the pickleball courts as a resource available to everyone, including those in wheelchairs.
“It’s egalitarian because it doesn’t matter if you’re male or female, or you’re in your 80s or your teens,” he said. “Everybody can play and win.”
A ribbon cutting ceremony will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 13. Open rotational play will follow on the new courts, with basic skills instruction offered on adjacent basketball courts outfitted with portable nets.
The Parks and Recreation Commission is planning a full slate of lessons, open play, competitions and other activities on the courts. Details will be available on eltownhall.com, social media and in the department’s program catalog.
e.regan@theday.com
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