Just Askin': What does Brentwood pickleball court delay mean for proposed facility?
Chris GaddEditor's note: You got questions? We got answers. Just Askin’ is a Tennessean initiative which answers your burning questions about Nashville and Middle Tennessee.
Question: What's the latest pickleball and tennis news on the Brentwood facility?
Answer: Brentwood leaders may form a citizen committee to evaluate city pickleball and tennis court options. These political volleys could delay or end negotiations for a joint indoor facility with Williamson County.
The commission voted to defer a vote on negotiating with the county parks and recreation department to develop an indoor racquet facility at the city’s Crockett Park.
Vice mayor Ken Travis proposed forming the Brentwood racquet committee, providing a preliminary resolution he created. He suggested the committee consist of a chairperson, city residents and a person with specific pickleball knowledge.
Travis said he was still interested in a partnership with the county. However, he and commissioner Allison Spears expressed they wanted to “do as much due diligence as possible.”
Spears said citizens have asked city leaders to explore all possible building configurations for the potential facility.
"In my opinion, any large (or small) city expenditure on any project deserves to be fully vetted before we spend tax-payer dollars," Spears said.
Opposed to a delay
Anne Dunn, who has served on the commission for more than three decades, noted there had been issues in the past working with the county. But she supports partnering on the facility now, primarily because it’s fiscally responsible.
Commissioner Rhea Little opposed a delay.
“I am not for this deferral. After having studied this for a couple years, I feel like we should be able to negotiate with the county,” Little said.
Brentwood has previously partnered with the county to create an indoor arena and sports complex on city property. Little said that partnership has been a success and the county “does a great job of running these facilities.”
Little also noted that the tennis community wanted to expedite the process of creating new courts.
For months, city staff have discussed a potential partnership with the Williamson County Parks and Recreation, a move which would include an indoor racquet facility in Crockett Park, including tennis and pickleball courts. The commission has also discussed the idea.
The proposed partnership would be similar to the arrangement for the Crockett Park soccer facility. The property and structure would remain with the city, but it would be operated by the county under a long-term lease. The county would assume all responsibility for operations, including utilities and routine cleaning and maintenance.
The projected $12 million budget would be split, including site development and utility-related costs. The county would establish a separate system for the financial operations so the facility’s net revenues could be determined.
Background
Since the 2020 announcement of the planned closure of the Maryland Farms YMCA in Brentwood, there has been community concern about the loss of tennis courts.
For months, city staff have discussed with county parks staff possibly partnering on an indoor racquet facility in Crockett Park, including tennis and pickleball courts. The commission has also previously discussed the idea.
The proposed partnership would be similar to the arrangement for the Crockett Park soccer facility. The property and structure would remain city but operated by the county under a long-term lease. The county would assume all responsibility for operations including utilities and routine cleaning, and maintenance.
The projected $12 million budget would be split, including site development and utility-related costs. The county would establish a separate system for the financial operations so the facility’s net revenues could be determined.
What’s next?
On June 12, the commission will meet to discuss a resolution to form a racquet committee.