After nearly and hour of comments and questions the Plymouth Park Board approved the final design plans for the Hunter Tennis Complex with stipulations.
More than 100 people crowded into the Conservation Club House at Magnetic Park with a couple dozen having to stand for the agenda item they were there to hear, comment and question.
Park Board President Dave Morrow made a statement prior to opening the floor for comments and questions on the new tennis court facility. He explained that the Park Board would be voting on the facility and that the location was approved in the January park board meeting. He continued, “The park board has met with the leadership of the Blueberry committee since the start of the project with the intention to keep the Blueberry Board informed on how the project was progressing.”
Morrow noted that other locations were considered including the current basketball courts by Plymouth Goshen Trail. He said, “The footprint just isn’t large enough for the facility. Additional land would be needed purchased to put the facility there.”
The Park Board president also gave a brief history of the current courts and the work completed on them during the past couple of years. He also noted that soil borings were completed on the new site were good and the project will receive some type of warranty on workmanship for the new courts.
Morrow explained that the park board meet with blueberry at the site and together it was decided to accommodate the festival including their request to relocate the Fryman Shelter to give a better line of site to view the fireworks.
Sarah Smith, one of the three spear-headers of the project and their architect explained the project including 10 full-size courts, 4 smaller courts for youngsters and seniors, a 30 foot concrete isle path between courts, 60 plus parking spaces, complex pavilion including public restrooms, storage and a concession area. The architect indicated that the project would be bid with alternates to only light half the courts, reduce the size of the pavilion structure if bids are too high.
When the park board opened the floor for comments and Phil Martin from the Blueberry Board asked about funding and Smith indicated the city pledged $750,000 while the school committed $250,000 and the remainder would be private donations. Martin asked about the 1/3 share of the project they were told early on between the city, school and private donations.
Park board president Dave Morrow said his vision was the have the project shared by the three entities. Bob Brown from the Blueberry said in the meeting, “Our biggest issue right now is the funding. They monopolize the park.”
Michael Bardwell commented on the mission statement of Blueberry saying, “You are to bring competitive youth sports to this area. I don’t see you guys contribute money at all to sports.” Bob Brown from the blueberry festival said they give money to the 79 non-profits that benefit directly from the festival.
People asked why the courts weren’t being built on school property, when Blueberry started looking for another site and on the funding.
Tennis committee member Betsy Gee Biederstede said. “Estimate for the original plan was $1.7 to $2.2 million but with revisions the numbers went down.” She continued, “We are shooting for $1.1 to $1.2 million.”
The park board indicated that minimum standards for lightening, landscape and the relocation of the Fryman shelter must be in the bidding along with new public restrooms.
After additional questions and comments park board member Mike Kershner, the school’s representative motioned to accept the design plans as presented for the new tennis complex with Jim Causey, the Library representative seconding the motion. The motion received unanimous support from park board members.
