HomeMy WebLinkAbout011321 Linda HolmesRecreation, Arts and Community Services Commission
Town of Danville, Ca.
Attn: Henry Perezalonso, Director
First, thank you for calling me after the Commission received my letter and some additional letters from
our Public Tennis Club (SRVTC). You took your time to explain to me that tennis court conversions to
pickleball was just part of the beginning brainstorming session and no “go forward” decisions had been
made. A fact gathering mission is what the town is currently undertaking.
Today I watched the November commission video, and believe I can add some additional information to
help in your fact finding on the pickleball/tennis issue.
In watching the “why Pickleball in Danville” presentation by Ben Crockett, he certainly made some valid
points. No public courts here, smaller court needs thereby more courts could be created in same space,
shorter games, and an increased popularity of the sport.
Included in his presentation was “Tennis Courts in Danville”. His first point was that the Town manages
4 courts at Osage and 2 at Diablo Vista. The second point was that the Town also reserves 8 courts at
SRVHS and 8 at MVHS. I am not familiar with the Town having complete reservation control over those
highs school courts…. As I understand, the Monte Vista Courts are 4 public and 4 school controlled, with
all of those courts having restrictive usage. Such as no public usage during school hours.
He also made note that there are Homeowner associations that have at least 31 courts available.
His noting this is somewhat misleading, as those are private courts for those Homeowners only and
generally unavailable for tennis league play. While I have been a participant in using some HOA courts
for public league play those were when HOA members happened to be on those teams and with the
same restrictions of needing 3 courts, not just two, access to bathrooms, and liability issues. Access to
HOA courts is unpredictable and unreliable. His final point in that part of his presentation was that
there was only one Pickleball court in Danville. He merged public and private courts for tennis
availability, but chose not to do so for pickleball courts. To be consistent, note that some of the HOA
(identified in the presentation) have accommodated the additional striping for their Homeowners.
The next page on his presentation spoke to a Walnut Creek Case Study.
I used to play tennis on the courts adjacent to Rudgear Park. Two courts could not be utilized for league
play because of the number. The bathrooms are at the other set of three courts.
Parking and noise: Tennis uses a rubber ball and stringed rackets, pickleball is a cross between tennis
and table tennis. The balls are hard plastic, like a whiffle ball, and the paddles are wood. It is a louder
sport and the shorter games provide a louder set of surrounding voices.
Usage of those WC pickleball courts certainly have been increased, but at the expense of increased noise
in the neighborhood. Please reference the attached article from East Bay Times concerning noise level
near Berkeley pickleball courts (Tuesday November 24, 2020).
In his presentation he provided options for conversions which he supported with pros and cons.
Option 1. Total conversion of one court to 4 pickleball courts. “Only three tennis courts are needed to
play for league (USTA) play”. The city guidelines that have been in existence, and which we abide by at
Osage, state that we are not allowed to reserve all 4 courts, only 3. With a conversion of the 4th court,
there will then be no non reserved court, or will the tennis reservations be limited to two courts, making
them unavailable for league play? Also, the impact of a louder activity (pickleball) during league play
would be very distracting for those playing tennis. There would be a need to separate, with a barrier,
the two types of sport courts, to prevent balls from one sport straying into the other sport’s court.
More expensive.
Option 2. Paint lines on a tennis court so that the court could be utilized for multi-use.
Mr. Crockett’s presentation certainly showed his enthusiasm for the sport as well as his dedication to
obtaining a Danville location where pickleball could be played. Here it appears are where some of the
conflicts arise:
He made a point to state that a tennis court conversion at Osage was most ideal.
He stated that ideal time of pickleball play was between 8:30 am and 1 pm seven days a week. He
further suggested that pickleball league play could become available, similar to the private clubs of
Blackhawk and Crow Canyon. (Please Note the difference: Private clubs with many courts vs limited
Public courts.)
The meeting then turned to how to assess the options going forward, a mandate for you.
• Henry, you can see thru the Town records the usage of all courts available.
• It was mentioned that the Diablo Vista courts were used as “teaching courts”. One of the
commission members even noted that he has lived in the area for over 8 years and was not
aware of the two Diablo Vista courts. DV courts are next to soccer fields and baseball fields, so
parking and bathrooms are accessible---but not for tennis league play as there are only two
courts. Diablo Vista is surrounded by open space, and any noise of pickleball would be less likely
to be objectionable. Interesting to note, when Walnut Creek converted their two courts to
pickleball courts they were the ones that were less used. Perhaps identifies Diablo Vista as a
better option for Pickleball.
• Osage courts are used for teaching on Thursday and Fridays (and therefore those days are not
available for weekday league play). As I stated in my October letter, the only public courts
presently available for SRVTC are the Osage courts…and currently only on Mondays, Tuesdays,
and Wednesdays. I ask that you please take my plea to give serious consideration to our public
club plight, and don’t restrict us out of existence.
Doesn’t it make sense to convert one or more of the high school courts, or a court where there exists
only two or even find a town owned location that is less utilized? The impact on the community could
be less and also beneficial to all.
Thank you for your efforts to understanding all faucets of this issue.
I can be reached via my cell at 925-788 4154.
Linda Holmes
SRVTC Board
24 November 2020
See additional article enclosed