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Board reverses initial decision to delay any work

Greenwood gives go-ahead for tennis court site prep

Match point goes to tennis court supporters

Jodi Summit
Posted 10/17/14

GREENWOOD TWP- The ball bounced out, and then in, to the tennis court proponents court during Tuesday’s Greenwood Town Board meeting.

The board had delayed taking action on site preparation for …

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Board reverses initial decision to delay any work

Greenwood gives go-ahead for tennis court site prep

Match point goes to tennis court supporters

Posted

GREENWOOD TWP- The ball bounced out, and then in, to the tennis court proponents court during Tuesday’s Greenwood Town Board meeting.

The board had delayed taking action on site preparation for a single tennis court at last month’s meeting, instead calling for additional quotations on the site preparation work. The township received three quotes this month, and the low quote, from Holmes Excavating at $6,000, came up for approval.

But board members questioned the wisdom of moving ahead with the project without knowing the total cost, and one questioned whether or not it would make more sense to call for quotes on the entire project at one time.

The board had approved spending up to $50,000 for a single court. Several years ago, residents approved spending up to $50,000 of township funds on two courts, and hoped to fund the rest of the project using grant funds. The township unsuccessfully tried to win grant funding two times for the double court project. At that point, the board voted to proceed with one court, with the township footing the bill.

Vice-Chair Kirsten Reichel noted she had been absent from the meeting where the board approved moving ahead with the single court. She said she couldn’t support the project unless she saw more comprehensive support from the community in the future. She said in her opinion the township support was based on paying half the total cost for the project, not paying full price for a single court.

Board member Gene Baland said he couldn’t understand the reluctance to move ahead, when the spending had already been approved. He noted that not approving the site prep would likely push the project back an entire year.

The vote to award the quote failed with Baland voting in favor, and Reichel, Don Doroff, and Rick Worringer voting against.

But at the end of the meeting, the proposal was again brought to the board from the audience.

“I’d like you to rescind the motion you made on the tennis courts,” said Lee Peterson. “A $50,000 commitment was made. You need to follow through….I think this would be good for the township.”

Others in the audience also spoke in favor of the project, which has been spearheaded by a large group of interested residents, including many who don’t regularly attend town board meetings. Last year, the tennis court proponents gathered signatures of 60 residents who supported the project. The court would be used for both tennis and pickleball, a combination of tennis and badminton that has garnered many players in the area.

“We could fill this room with supporters,” said Shelby Karakas.

Mark Drobec suggested that doing the site work didn’t commit the board to completing the entire project.

“It could be possible to use the site for something else if the court doesn’t go forward,” he said, in support of the project.

After some board discussion, Baland again made a motion to award the bid for site prep. The motion passed, this time on a 3-1 vote, with Worringer voting against. Worringer noted he was concerned about township spending, with the reduction made in next year’s levy.

Reichel explained her change of heart.

“When I see Lee Peterson and Mark Drobec both speaking in favor of spending money,” she said, “then apparently it is something they feel strongly about.”

Tom Aro was absent from the meeting.

Site prep, which includes clearing and hauling of the gravel base surface, will be done this fall. This will allow the area to settle over the winter.