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MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO PARK COMMISSION <br /> November 6, 2023 <br />6:00 o’clock p.m. <br />_____________________________________________________________________________________ <br /> <br />Page 2 of 5 <br /> <br />through the data from the open house. There were a range of comments from wanting the maximum <br />number of courts to wanting the most possible while not impacting the Donation Garden to wanting to <br />add nothing more to the area besides the Garden. <br /> <br />Carter asked about data on pickleball needs. <br /> <br />Rasmussen highlighted the number of courts and usage from neighboring community and said no <br />community has as many courts as needed but it does come down to costs. She noted that the costs can <br />vary widely depending on amenities added, such as lights. She said what they are hearing from pickleball <br />players is more courts are needed rather than amenities. She urged the commission to involve the <br />pickleball community in the decisions as even something like court color is important to players. <br /> <br />Duval said she likes the options and the pairing but wanted to make sure the logistics of access to the <br />Donation Garden is considered. <br /> <br />Roath pointed out that the Donation Garden is also important to the community. He opened up the <br />discussion to public comments. <br /> <br />Janie Delaney, 1315 Woodhill Ave., said she thought pickleball and the garden are a good combination <br />but was concerned about all the new hardcover and how run-off might affect the garden. She said she has <br />visited other communities like Victoria to see their courts and noted outdoor courts generally close down <br />for the winter. She also said wind fences might be needed because the site can by windy. She asked about <br />fundraising for the project. <br /> <br />Lemons said it is early in the planning process but that Bolton and Menk thought they would be able to <br />create enough of a holding pond to deal with any run-off. <br /> <br />Rasmussen said the pickleball players have formed a West Lakes Pickleball Club that could include <br />fundraising and she has been looking at possible funding sources. She suggested the project start with a <br />pledging process and when enough money is pledged, move forward. <br /> <br />Lemons said they would continue to study grants and other funding sources. <br /> <br />Jack Reily, 2130 Shadywood Road, said he supports the project, noting that there are pluses and minuses <br />to each proposal. He said he thought 12 courts was going too far but that the City should settle on nine. <br />He said he felt it was incumbent on the City to come out of the January work session with a proposal and <br />costs so the pickleball community can get to work. He also said it would be important to the consider the <br />needs of the Donations Garden so there would not be opposition from those interests going into <br />fundraising. <br /> <br />4. 2024 PARKS COMMISSION MEETING CALENDAR <br /> <br />Lemons said the calendar for 2024 had been tweaked from previous years. The draft calls for four <br />quarterly meetings in February, May, August and November plus two work sessions in January and June. <br /> <br />Porter said the work session in June would be the last work session of the year and with the need to talk <br />about CIPs it may be necessary to add another work session in October. <br /> <br />4