By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
The four tennis courts in Hays Municipal Park need to be resurfaced. It hasn’t been done since 2004.
City commissioners will consider a low bid Thursday for the work, which includes converting one court to two pickleball courts.
“We have a lot of people interested in pickleball,” said Jeff Boyle, director of parks. “Hays Rec actually has tournaments there. It’s very popular and I think it’s a good thing for us to try.”
Pickleball is similar to tennis but uses a Wiffle Ball and small paddles on shorter courts. An eight-foot-high net will divide the fourth Municipal Park tennis court into two pickleball courts.
“As you get older it’s really a good sport to stay active because you can play it to any level you want,” said Commissioner Sandy Jacobs. “But I’ve noticed there’s a lot of young people getting involved as well, so I think it’s pretty cool.”
Commissioner Eber Phelps, a tennis player, was not as enthusiastic.
“Not to rain on your parade, but I’m just gonna call your attention to what’s going to happen,” he said.
“You bring in a new activity. Then you’re gonna have all your tennis players complaining.
“I’ve played on those courts for years. People come down there and want to play tennis using a volleyball. They wanna play tennis using Frisbees, or whatever. It’s lit up at night and it’s a great place to come skateboard, rollerblade, drive remote control cars.
“They really don’t understand tennis court etiquette.
“I’m not gonna put down the pickleball, but I’ll bet you, you get that going down there and you’re gonna have some issues between the two,” Phelps predicted.
Boyle said his staff discussed whether the change would “put out the tennis players.”
“There’ve been times where all four courts have been played on, and there’s been times when it’s just one court,” Boyle noted. “Tennis seems to have dropped off dramatically. I’m not discarding the sport. It sure seems we have plenty of courts when I go by.”
Other agenda items for the July 25 city commission meeting include a final review of the proposed 2020 budget and setting a public hearing date.
The 2019 Water$mart Landscape awards will also be presented.
The agenda is available here.
The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. in Hays City Hall, 1507 Main.