Residents and neighbors welcomed new courts

by Sue Serdinak

It was four years in the planning stage, but six pickleball courts were opened to the public on Oct. 9 with a well-attended ribbon cutting. Additionally, a ribbon-cutting ceremony for three new tennis courts was held on Oct. 17.

Mayor Michael Wheeler said he hardly knew anything about pickleball in 2019, but when he heard about the fast-growing sport, he approached the park board and they enthusiastically encouraged building courts in Richfield Village. The idea to build a recreation center in the village had been abandoned and Richfield needed more recreational facilities, especially for children, Wheeler said.

At every opportunity, Wheeler pushed forward the idea to build pickleball and tennis courts on village property, with money that had been in the budget for a recreation center. Some members of council showed their immediate support for new courts, especially Sue Ann Philippbar, who had campaigned for more recreational facilities for children. Council President Ralph Waszak stated that the village’s master plan called for more family recreational facilities.

The location for the courts was debated over several months; some wanted them at Richfield Woods and some wanted them on village property off of Broadview Road, south of the library.

Wheeler pushed for the Town Hall location and village landscape designer Rob Morgan drew up a plan that showed that six pickleball and three tennis courts could be positioned south of Town Hall in such a way that the pavilion, the baseball diamond and the children’s playground would be unaffected.

Council members expressed concern about having enough parking spaces and about the repetitive “dink” sound of the ball for nearby residents. They delayed approval for about 18 months while debating the location. Finally, council gave a thumb’s up and Vizmeg Landscape of Stow was hired to build six pickleball and three tennis courts at a cost of about $850,000.

Wheeler credited Richfield resident and pickleball pro Peter Wood advising him on planning the pickleball courts.

About 50 people, some from neighboring communities, came to celebrate the opening of the six courts on Oct. 9. Many came ready to play as village councilmembers and employees watched and took photos. Small bleachers were placed between the two sections of courts so anyone waiting for a court has a place to sit. 

Parks & Recreation Director John Piepsny said he was thrilled about the new courts. “They are a real asset for the community. Pickleball is a lifelong sport. It allows all age groups to play together – grandparents and teenagers can play together.”

“They bring a lot of camaraderie,” he added.

Piepsny said next year he would establish youth and adult leagues.

Some are concerned that the six courts won’t be enough to handle all of the people who want to play. Piepsny said there is a four-paddle system that they will initiate to insure that the courts are shared, and not monopolized by a few people.

The players who showed up for the official opening of the courts said that pickleball players are known to be collaborative about taking turns to play.

Tennis Courts opened

The ribbon cutting for the three new tennis courts included a special recognition to Richfield resident and professional tennis play Doug Wenger for help in designing the courts. He also was responsible for attaining a $25,000 grant from the United State Tennis Association for the courts.

“Wenger was invaluable,” said Wheeler.

Photo Caption: Within a couple of days of Mayor Michael Wheeler announcing the pickleball courts were completed, nearly 50 people came for the ribbon cutting and some to play on the new courts. Photo by L. Toth.