Dedicated Pickleball Courts at Luther Burbank Park

Mercer Island Dedicated Pickleball Courts APPROVED!

At the March 2, 2023 meeting, the Mercer Island Parks and Recreation Commission approved 100% dedicated Pickleball Courts at Luther Burbank.

What does this mean? Mercer Island had received a King County grant to resurface and convert the tennis courts at Luther Burbank to Pickleball. However, the initial plan was to have one tennis court remain. The City Staff, through research and community input, recommended that the facility not be multi-sport but rather dedicated to Pickleball. The motion to pass was unanimous among the commissioners present, 6-0.

The City Staff received 50 emails regarding a dedicated pickleball facility. There was only 1 person who objected to removing any tennis courts, and thought that the scheduled hours at MICEC were sufficient.

You can watch the meeting in its entirety here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYCbFlrB1CY. If you want to cut right to the good stuff:

• Watch Kelly Sims and Jessica Prince speak in favor of dedicated courts starting at 2:04.

• The discussion and vote happen much later in the meeting, 1:52:00. The discussion was short, the vote a strong recognition of growing Pickleball Community.

What's next and how does Dink On Mercer Island fit into this

The City has hired a design engineering firm, DA Hogan, to start planning and come up with a preliminary design. Since this is a funded grant, no further action is required by City Council or formally by the Parks and Recreation Commission. However, it is expected that the consultant will present and advise the commission at a later date. Also, the City Staff wants stakeholders to review and comment on the design. That's precisely where this club comes in. The City Staff is aware that Dink On Mercer Island has formed, and is the only organized group on the island. We will be one of those stakeholders. In addition, it's expected the consultant and Staff will reach out to other organizations for input. Expect future updates through this blog and email. Also, there might be a poll or two (three? more?) so we can provide community feedback. The City is not planning any further public meetings at this point.

The preliminary scope is for 8 dedicated pickleball courts. The design firm will work to maximize the space within standard court dimensions, and will consider things like access, flow, and fencing. The final number of courts is yet to be determined, but 8 is a pretty solid guess.

When does construction begin and when will it be finished?

Provided everything continues as planned, construction will begin this fall. The existing surface will be repaired, reinforced, and leveled with concrete. That surface will need to cure over the winter. Once the concrete is poured and dried, courts will be painted and nets installed temporarily while the surface cures. Pickleball will be available during this period depending on weather conditions, same as it is now. The configuration is not known, but you will be updated here when that information is available.

In the spring, a new sports surface will be installed and painted to the design configuration along with new nets. If the design and budget allows, fencing will also be built.

Lights! What about Lights? And a roof? Will there be a roof?

Court lighting was discussed at the Commission meeting. That would be a significant change to Luther Burbank Park, and consideration would need to be in front of the Commission. Lighting is outside the current scope. It would also likely require broader community outreach because of the impact to the Luther Burbank Park. That's more about process than hurdles. The City would look either to grant money (unlikely) or a donation to fund the expense of building out lighting. It's fair to expect Dink On Mercer Island to be the major fundraiser and donor, although any group or person could step in and provide the funding.

Dink On Mercer Island will continue to ask for and pursue the basic infrastructure in the current design to future proof the courts. In the future, if green lighted (yeah, that's a pun) by the Commission and funds donated it becomes a much easier construction project and procurement.

Could a roof be included? Again, that would have to go through a community and Commission engagements, and the resistance would probably be stronger, but not necessarily insurmountable. Could that infrastructure be built in? Maybe. We'll ask for that as well in the current design process. The more the City anticipates the long term use of the courts the better for every one.

What can you do now?

At the moment, not much directly regarding the design. There will be updates where your voice and opinion will be needed. Regarding Dink On Mercer Island, there is tons of work to be done! Website management and graphic design, content, expertise in creating and registering as a legal entity, and more! Check out the Get Involved page, and send an email letting us know how you can help.

Thanks for all your support! Any other questions or comments, please send an email to dinkonmercerisland@gmail.com