By Mary-Justine Lanyon
Editor
The long-awaited new pickleball courts at MacKay Park will be celebrated with a ribbon cutting on Sept. 19 at 10 a.m.
Henry Mac, the division manager of the Operations department of County Public Works, told the CSA 70 D-1 Advisory Committee – known as the Dam Committee – at the Aug. 25 meeting that the courts were to be completed on Sept. 5. He sent a draft of the rules to committee member Kristy Rostawicki, who has advocated for the new courts for the past year. The draft, he said, was based on the rules in place at other county locations.
Ken, a pickleball player in attendance at the meeting, thanked the workers for their hard work “and their patience with us. They were there while we were playing.” He expressed concern over the fencing strips put in place to block the wind as they will also block the view of outside court observers.
Mac said he saw the slats and agreed they do impede visibility a bit. “I was thinking we could take every other slat out,” he said.
Another player named Alex said he doesn’t play on the mountain as people of different skill levels are mixed together. “It makes it not enjoyable,” he said. In Redlands, he noted, the courts are divided by skill. In addition, he said, families often come with children, who are running around and could get injured.
“I am supportive of skill level play,” Alex said.
Mac said that skill level courts is a big topic. “The people at county are against putting in those rules but are OK with the local community organizing it. Other communities don’t have the courts separated by skill.”
Chair William Kanayan noted that “it is a taxpayer-funded facility so it is open to all people.”
Ana Rojas thanked the county for putting in the new courts “and letting us play during construction.” Kanayan added his thanks to Altmeyer Construction for “letting us use the courts during construction.”
Rostawicki added her thanks, saying that both visitors and local residents are very happy with the courts.
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