8-court Pickleball plan for Mayor Bob Park
After months of waiting for a solution to its courts, Farragut and area pickleball players got some good news.
Of the $17.6 million approved for in Capital Investment Program projects in its 2025 budget, Farragut Board of Mayor and Aldermen unanimously approved funding for a new, lighted pickleball facility at Mayor Bob Leonard Park during the Board’s meeting Thursday, June 13.
Furthermore, they approved a $110,000 contract for professional services to design the courts and parking to Ross/Fowler, a Knoxville architectural firm.
Last year, Brass Lantern subdivision residents sought a solution to the noise emitting from the pickleball courts at McFee Park. The Town responded by closing the four courts.
Pickleball players reacted by showing up in force to a Board meeting to plead for the courts to re-open. After a Nov. 29 meeting between the subdivision residents and pickleball players, it was agreed the pickleball courts would remain closed with the provision there would be new pickleball courts at Mayor Bob Leonard Park.
“Pickleball has been a well-discussed topic in our community, in the Parks and Athletics Council and at this Board level,” Town Parks and Recreation director Ron Oestreich said. “You know our history; you know our challenges with the courts at McFee.”
“When Mr. Oestreich reached out to us, we … prepared the concept drawing you see on the screen,” said David Craig, principal for landscape architecture with Ross/Fowler. “We think that there may be another concept or two that you might want to consider … to explore alternatives for that layout.”
Meanwhile, Brass Lantern resident George Ellis praised the Board for its action.
“We have asked noise levels to come down by moving or eliminating noise-provoking sports games and seeing new pickleball courts being planned for (MBLP at) Watt Road,” Ellis said. “It’s another step in the right direction the Town has taken.
“Pickleball players get more courts; we, in the area, get quieter yards, and we can actually use our back porches again. It’s a win-win.”
“After much discussion over the past year, the Board of Mayor and Aldermen has directed staff to begin the design process for building an eight-court, lighted pickleball complex with an adjacent 25-vehicle parking lot at Mayor Bob Leonard Park,” Oestreich said. “This new complex will be located in the southwest corner of the park, where grass rectangle Field 6 is currently located.
“The entirety of this design proposal also includes the moving of the field lights from the west side of Field 6 to the west side of the adjacent rectangle Field 5,” the Parks and Rec director added.
“The proposed Design Firm, Ross/Fowler, will provide the following for this project, as specified in the proposal and attached AIA contract: conceptual designs, construction documents, project bid and construction administration.”
