I regularly cycle--as in pedal a bike. On Wednesdays I cycle 25 miles, more or less. On Saturdays I cycle 30-35 miles.
I cycled 25 miles when the heat index was 105 degrees. At least the movement of the bike created some cooling air flow. I was drinking fluids constantly from a camelback and pouring water from a water bottle on my neck.
And I cycled when the wind chill was 40 degrees. I was covered from head to toe with insulated clothing and had heat pads in my shoes and gloves. The airflow from the cycling and any wind added to my misery.
Thus out of habit I regularly watch the heat index in the warm months and the wind chill factor in winter months. I do this seven days a week.
Since June 1, the heat index has been in the low nineties, and sometimes low 100s, during the "heat of the day"--say 10 am until 6 p.m.
This brings me to the question--how many pickleball courts will be utilized when its really hot, heat index wise, and really cold, wind chill wise?
I have been questioned by many readers after publication of a Settle Talk --"With Two Stipulations the Caddo Commision Should Approve Proposed Pickleball Complex". My conditions were approval of the long term lease of the property from the YMCA and the approval of the management agreement with the YMCA.
Here are the questions I have been asked:
1. How much use will outdoor courts have when it is really hot and really cold?
2. Is there a demand for the planned number of 19 courts?
3. Is there a need for 500 parking spaces when the Forbing YMCA has less than 300?
4. Is there a need for seating of 1000 at the "championship court"?
5. If there is such a demand for pickleball why hasn't the YMCA built one on the land proposed to be leased to Caddo Parish for the complex?
6. Should the Commission delay action until the renovation of the Walter B. Jacobs Memorial Nature Park is opened to ascertain how well the Parish spent the money?
These seem to me to be "fair" questions. I realize "fair" is a four letter word. And the fair comes in October--and sometimes in the spring.
The pickleball issue has been bounced back to a Commission committee. One wonders if that committee will bother to meet this month. Whenever that group does meet, the questions from Settle Talk readers should be addressed--hopefully.
John came to Shreveport in January of 1977 when he was transferred to Barksdale AFB.
He’s been active in Shreveport politics since deciding to make Shreveport his home.
John practiced law for 40 years and he now monitors local politics. He regularly attends Shreveport City Council and Caddo Parish Commission meetings.
John is published weekly in The Inquisitor, bi-monthly in The Forum News, and frequently in the Shreveport Times.
He enjoys addressing civic groups on local government issues and elections.