Indoor pickleball facility proposed in Somersworth: What to know

SOMERSWORTH — A new indoor pickleball facility with eight courts could be coming to the city.

A conceptual plan for developing 136 Route 108 was received favorably by the city's Planning Board Wednesday night.

Great Falls Pickleball LLC was represented by Dover lawyer Francis X. Bruton, who told the board he was hoping to get feedback from the board and from abutters as they work towards a more formal plan. The 2.5-acre property is located in the commercial/industrial zone but abuts several residential properties.

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"Pickleball is very popular," said Bruton. "We have followed the news and know noise with outside courts has been an issue. We will be sensitive to those concerns. We believe an indoor facility can work well, will fit in nicely."

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Only one couple spoke at the public hearing. Patricia and John Eaton said their home is behind the property proposed for the facility.

"We love pickleball, are fans," Patricia said.

"We give the idea a thumbs up," John said.

Michelle Mears, the city's planning and community development director, read one resident's letter in opposition to the plan. The letter was from an abutter who is concerned about noise. She also wrote she felt it would devalue homes in the vicinity.

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In addition to eight indoor pickleball courts, the facility would have changing areas and vending machines, according to Bruton. Parking would be in the front of the facility, and the property would be fenced and landscaped.

Bruton said developers will take abutters' needs into consideration as they plan landscaping, lighting and decide on hours of operation, none of which has been set at this point.

"This will be a metal building, but we want to make it look attractive," said Bruton. "We are in the same vicinity of the famous sports dome and The Works athletic facility."

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The Planning Board members offered suggestions on lighting and buffers, but overall seemed to support the concept. Bruton will return with a site plan, the next step in the process in the near future, he said.

This article originally appeared on Fosters Daily Democrat: Indoor pickleball facility proposed in Somersworth: What to know