As their diesel powered-lift rumbles to life, contractors ARC Construction Company are installing trusses on the new restrooms for the new pickleball courts at Wesselman Park in Evansville.
And just beyond are the large concrete pads that will become 16 pickleball courts — shrunk down from 24, said interim parks director Steve Schaefer.
“So there's more green space. And, you know, we've added a little more parking to the existing parking lot. So a lot of the improvements that we made, we think will be beneficial and a win-win for everybody.”
The second pour of concrete for the courts has recently been completed, and must sit and cure for 30 days. As the concrete cures, contractors will finish the fencing and restrooms.
Schaefer said the goal is to be finished by December, and progress has been steady thanks to the favorable weather.
The topic of the courts had been a bit divisive. A City Council meeting in mid-April contained a vote that could have prohibited the courts from being built in that spot — it failed 7-2.
Nearby residents were concerned about nuisance noise and light pollution, and some were worried about the project going over budget.
Schaefer said the lights are specifically designed to minimize light pollution. He says sound and light pollution are things on which they’ll continue working.
He said the court consolidation wasn’t necessarily based on feedback.
“The design was changed, mainly because when we went from 24 to 16, we created a large green space in the back where we move that to the front. And so just making it more consolidated design made a more attractive project.”
The pickleball courts at Burdette Park are also under construction, and should be complete by mid-fall.
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