(Le Mars) — A group of at least 20 senior citizens attended Tuesday’s city council meeting to ask if the council would consider changing a few of the city-owned tennis courts into pickle ball courts. Pickle ball is a fast-growing popular sport using paddles and a ball, often played on tennis courts, but the
dimensions are smaller. Greg Mitchell spoke on behalf of the senior citizens that participate in local pickle ball activities.
He says back in 2015, several residents requested the city to paint pickle ball lines on the existing tennis courts. Mitchell says more than 30 people in and around Le Mars are actively playing the sport. Mitchell believes the tennis courts are being under-utilized outside the tennis season for Le Mars Community
and Gehlen Catholic, and by the city’s residents. Le Mars has a total of 13 tennis courts, six that are located at Le Mars Community High School, and the other seven are city owned with two at the former Westmar College grounds, and
five that are located near the golf course.
The city council heard a couple of suggestions. One is to convert a couple of the present tennis courts into pickle ball courts, and a second idea was to add-on and construct new courts to be located next to the tennis courts located at the golf course.
Mitchell acknowledged to city council members there may be some concern with the noise level with the pickle ball sport, especially at the former Westmar College
location which sits among residential housing.
The city council did not take any action on the matter, and instead referred the issue to be brought before the city’s community services committee.
