AMHERST — Amherst officials are temporarily putting off construction of the first municipal pickleball courts at Kiwanis Park following concern over noise from neighbors and growing uncertainty about the project’s costs.
Calling it “hitting the pause button,” Assistant Town Manager David Ziomek told the Community Preservation Act Committee in mid-December that the $100,000 request, to supplement $120,000 previously appropriated from the account, is being withdrawn.
“We think we need more time to work with the community, both in East Amherst as well as in North Amherst, and we think the time is not now to request this money,” Ziomek said.
The hope had been that the appropriation, on top of money sought by Friends of Pickleball last year, who had looked to put the facility at Mill River Recreation Area on Montague Road, would get the project underway.
But the Misty Meadows Property Association, made up of residents mostly on Willow Lane and Tamarack Drive, raised objections at an earlier CPA Committee meeting and submitted a petition, with the worries mostly centered on how loud the games can be.
Following this, the District One Neighborhood Association in North Amherst made its own appeal to town officials that Mill River should be the pickleball site.
The association’s letter to town officials states: “Reading about the unhappiness of residents near Kiwanis Park where the courts are currently planned, DONA decided to survey District One neighbors to see if there is interest in locating the courts here.”
Better than nine in 10 residents who responded supported the pickleball courts at Mill River, though there were concerns about parking and adding more traffic to the main intersection. The support came due to Mill River’s proximity to services in the village center, including stores, restaurants and North Amherst Library, the other activities that are already at Mill River, including a swimming pool, and that even if parking is lost, there are sufficient spaces to accommodate those using the pavilion or attending Little League baseball games.
“Anywhere we go, we are going to be challenged by a couple of things. The distance issues we’ve heard a lot about,” Ziomek said.
“The noise concerns are real, and we hear that,” Ziomek added.
More than $100,000 might be necessary to curtail noise, while building at Groff Park would likely cost at least $500,000.
Assistant Department of Public Works Superintendent Amy Rusiecki said everyone wants pickleball, but with an unknown location, more money will be needed.
“We haven’t given up; we’re going to continue conversation with neighbors and abutters of Kiwanis,” Ziomek said.