Skate-friendly sports court could be built at McNair Park
The three tennis courts in the main portion of McNair Park, 3050 Droste Road, have been closed to the public since January because they had fallen into disrepair and were no longer safe, said Maralee Britton, superintendant of the St. Charles Parks and Recreation Department.
Britton has requested funding to replace the tennis courts with a multipurpose sports court. Residents indicated in a 1999 park survey that they wanted a place to play roller hockey or basketball at the park, Britton said."The basis of it being a multipurpose sports court, with skateboard and roller bladers are constantly told you can't do that here - we're inviting them, 'Please come and participate in your hobby,'" she said.
Eliminating the tennis courts would mean tennis players have three fewer lighted courts to play on. On the other side of McNair Park, four lighted tennis courts are in nearly constant use in the summer evenings.
"Usually when we've been coming this summer, there's been a wait (to play)," said Kathleen Runion, 36, whose son takes tennis lessons through the parks department.
Britton said the department would put together a commission in the fall to talk about options for the multipurpose court and invited public input.
Before the project can get off the ground, the City Council would need to approve the $170,100 that has been allocated for improvements as part of the city's capital improvement project plan.
Funding for capital improvement projects in the city comes from gaming revenue, a half-cent sales tax and other sources. Each year the mayor presents to the City Council a plan for capital improvement projects during the next six years.
The council was scheduled to begin discussions for the projects Tuesday, but went into executive session at 10:30 p.m. Tuesday. The council's next work session is scheduled for Aug. 11.
Britton also has requested $220,000 in 2010 to make McNair, Jaycee and Wapelhorst parks accessible. She also requested about $35,000 in 2011 to build a permanent place for music and theater performances at Bum's Hollow in Blanchette Park. Three concerts held at the natural sloping amphitheater have been well attended in the past two years, Britton said. The last concert scheduled at Bum's Hollow this year will feature Arbogast at 8 p.m. Oct. 4.
