I get it--tell a parks director and an architect to plan a $10 million pickleball complex and you get the Taj Mahal. And while you are at it, defend your project to all ends, even to jeopardize credibility. That's basically what has occurred in the proposed Caddo Parish pickleball proposal that will be voted upon by the Caddo Commission next month.
Let's start with some questions that definitely need to be answered before the vote:
1. Why the need for a grand championship court
2. Why the need for a 1000 seats at the grand championship court
3. Why the need for a 6,000 square foot pro shop, concession area, and two 50 seat indoor viewing areas--which presumably includes restrooms even though no information has been provided on this necessity
4. Why the need for a 500 parking space lot when there are over 1500 free parking spaces within walking distance
5. Will the employees at the pickleball complex be on the payroll of the Parish or the Forbing YMCA--there is conflicting information
6. Will the Forbing YMCA, as part of its management contract, be responsible for routine maintenance at the complex or the Parish--there is conflicting information
7. What will be the monthly fee paid to the Forbing YMCA for management of the complex
8. What will be the terms of the land lease for the complex from the Forbing YMCA to the Parish
9. Who is to build and maintain the two soccer fields that have been touted as additions to this complex/park.
These are bedrock questions that should be promptly addressed in writing by the Caddo Parish Administration and distributed to the Commissioners, the public and posted on the website. The failure to do so will likely jeopardize this proposal.
Here are some suggestions to scale back the complex to allow more development of the park area of this proposal:
1. Reduce or eliminate entirely spectator seating at the grand championship court
2. Reduce the number of planned courts and have all of the courts covered--then have the economist run the numbers with less courts but more playing times by elimination of inclement weather factors
3. Reduce the pro shop, concession and viewing area to 2000 square feet with just the necessities which should include ample restrooms--no mention of restrooms has been made
4. Reduce the planned parking lot to 300 or less parking spaces
5. Eliminate any other fancy "bells and whistles" in the design of the pickleball complex design
6. Stop touting this proposal to compete with Des Moines Iowa or Naples Florida when those venues have large numbers of indoor courts and a much larger pickleball community.
With adoption of some or all of the above suggestions, there should be a cost savings that could be used to enhance the planned park area:
a) Extend the walking/jogging trail from 1/4 mile (or is it 1/3 mile) to one mile and add benches along the trail
b) Add two playground areas, designed for designated age groups, much like the two at Betty Virginia park
c) Add more picnic tables and at least one more picnic table pavilion
d) Modify construction plans to save as many trees on the location as possible and to add landscaping including trees to the park area.
e) Add any needed sidewalks in the park area and the pickleball complex.
Repackaging this proposal to enhance the park aspects with less glitz and glamour on the pickleball complex will be more attractive to skeptics. With all courts covered usage of the facility should be enhanced, even with a reduced number of courts. With a well-developed park as part of the proposal more citizens can use this area.
In essence, instead of buying a top of the line Cadillac, buy two basic Chevrolets to provide more mileage(usage) by all citizens, not just the pickleball players. This project has merit as a basic concept, but many needed changes are needed if it is to pass muster with a majority of the Commissioners and citizens alike.