One of the main topics of discussion for the Cambridge City Council at its Jan. 19 meeting was whether or not the council should honor its word on building a new tennis court at Central Green Park, or if it should instead use that space to build four pickleball courts.
The tennis courts were defended by many members of the public, including members of the Cambridge-Isanti High School tennis team. In their eyes, the courts have already been agreed upon and should be considered a done deal. They noted how there are not enough public courts for people to use, and with the amount of scheduled events on the existing courts, it is nearly impossible to find an open time to simply show up and play.
The discussion for the pickleball courts was presented by Dick Welch. The Pickleball Club is being sponsored by the Allina Neighborhood Health Connection Grant.
According to Welch, pickleball is a way for senior citizens to stay active, something he claims is not readily available in this area.
After hearing from both sides, the council heard from Cambridge-Isanti boys tennis coach, and Parks, Trails and Recreation Commissioner Thea Lowman.
Lowman supplied the council with information regarding tennis and pickleball courts from Blaine and Shoreview. Noting that both of those communities offer far more in terms of available recreation space, she suggested a compromise. Instead of the council deciding between a tennis and pickleball court, she said they should look into using more space at Central Green Park to create both.
Council Members Tiffany Kafer and Howard Lewis urged the council to go with this plan under the condition that existing funds go to the already agreed upon tennis court.
The city, as well as the Pickleball Club, will further pursue funding so both proposals might eventually become a reality at Central Green Park.
According to Mayor Marlys Palmer, the goal of the agreement is “to do the most good for the most people.”
In other news:
• The Bike Isanti County Committee requested a council member be appointed to join the committee. Following discussion, Kafer was selected and will attend their meetings.
• The City Council has agreed to become the fiscal agent for the Pickleball Club, allowing them to accept the grant from Allina.
• Lewis pitched the idea of the council writing a letter to the YMCA, inviting them to open a location in the Cambridge area. Lewis presented the many amenities offered by the YMCA and added how he believes it would be welcomed by the community.
• The final order of business presented by the council was how to be more efficient with council members’ time and reduce the length of their meetings. All members agreed the meetings should be shortened if and when possible.