Pickleball vs. Tennis: The Battle for Washington Park Courts

The dispute over the use of the Washington Park courts in Peru, Illinois, has reached a critical juncture as the local tennis community and the Illinois Valley Pickleball Club vie for court time. The issue was brought to the forefront during the Public Services Committee Meeting on Monday, where both sides presented their cases, highlighting the need for a balanced and fair solution.

Preserving the Legacy of Tennis in Washington Park

The Tennis Community's Plea

The tennis community, represented by La Salle-Peru High School Head Tennis Coach Aaron Guenther and St. Bede Academy Head Tennis Coach Jill Urban-Bollis, made a passionate plea to the committee to reconsider the plan to paint pickleball lines on the existing tennis courts. They argued that the rich history of the Washington Park courts, which have hosted numerous Illinois Valley Community College summer tournaments and served as the home courts for L-P's tennis team, should be preserved.Guenther emphasized that while the rapid growth and rising interest in pickleball is commendable, the expansion of the sport should not come at the expense of other sports, such as tennis. He pointed out that the tennis community has already lost one court to pickleball, and the proposed changes would further limit the exposure and accessibility of tennis for the local community, including the summer recreational program and general play.Urban-Bollis echoed these concerns, highlighting the accessibility of the park courts for children and adults who can easily reach them by walking or biking, in contrast to the L-P complex, which may be less accessible for some players without a vehicle and presents safety concerns due to the high-traffic areas without sidewalks.

The Importance of Maintaining Dedicated Tennis Courts

The tennis coaches argued that removing dedicated tennis courts would undermine various programs and diminish the future of tennis within the community. They emphasized that this is not just a tennis problem or a pickleball problem, but rather a planning problem that requires a balanced and thoughtful approach.

The Cost Considerations

Director of Parks, Recreation and Special Events Adam Thorson provided insights into the cost implications of the proposed changes. He revealed that the cost of painting pickleball courts on each side of the existing tennis nets, effectively creating an additional six pickleball courts, would be approximately ,000. However, Thorson noted that Putnam County Painting, the company he consulted, expressed concerns about the quality of the work and the potential for damaging the existing investment in the courts.

Exploring Potential Solutions

The committee members engaged in discussions to explore potential solutions that would accommodate both the tennis and pickleball communities. Alderman Tom Payton suggested the possibility of turning the pickleball courts on the ice rink to face east and west, reducing the number of courts from three to two. This idea was met with some skepticism, as Mayor Ken Kolowski noted that the players would then be facing the sun.Alderman Jason Edgcomb acknowledged the need and desire for more courts, but emphasized that a quick fix may not be the best approach. He suggested that the committee should focus on finding a suitable location to build new, high-quality courts that can accommodate a larger gathering of pickleball players and be done in a thoughtful and comprehensive manner.

The Path Forward

Mayor Kolowski stated that he is working on a solution with Thorson and needs a few weeks to figure out the details. The committee recognized the need to balance the interests of both the tennis and pickleball communities, and they expressed a commitment to finding a fair and sustainable solution that preserves the legacy of tennis in Washington Park while also addressing the growing demand for pickleball.