Concord opens pickleball courts

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Betty Alcorn, of the Garnet valley Gherkins, returns a ball to Concord Township Council Vice President John Gillespie in a ceremonial one-point pickleball match at the grand opening of the new pickleball courts.

It took a few years, but pickleball payers in Concord Township now have a home of their own. The six courts in the Concord municipal complex at 43 S. Thornton Road officially opened on July 15, much to the delight of Betty Alcorn of the Garnet Valley Gherkins Pickleball Club. Club members — more than 400 on the email list — had been playing at the Brandywine Youth Club.

"I am so excited to have local courts to play on. The courts are beautiful and made for pickleball. Concord Township did a super job planning and constructing their courts. They should be very proud of their accomplishment,” she said. “Our local pickleball club is delighted to have a place where they can now offer instruction to anyone who wants to try out this fantastic and addictive game.”

The new courts were paid for through the township’s Open Space Fund from money developers paid in fee in lieu. The cost for the six concrete courts was more than half-a-million dollars, according to township Manager Amanda Serock. A second set of courts with a cover is possible at a later date.

During a ceremonial one-point game, played between Alcorn and Township Council Vice President John Gillespie, Alcorn won.

According to the court rules and regulations, the courts are open from April 1 through Nov. 1, from dawn until dusk. There are 13 regulations, including no tobacco, food or drink (other than water) are allowed on the courts, and people must wear athletic shoes. No bicycles, skateboards, roller-skates, scooters, rollerblades, or pets are allowed on the courts.

Additionally, only township residents and registered groups, associations, clubs, or organizations are permitted on the courts during open playtimes.

Rules and regulations are posted on the fencing around the courts.

 

 

About Rich Schwartzman

Rich Schwartzman has been reporting on events in the greater Chadds Ford area since September 2001 when he became the founding editor of The Chadds Ford Post. In April 2009 he became managing editor of ChaddsFordLive. He is also an award-winning photographer.

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  1. ksdillon

    Half a million dollars? And another court with a cover? Which council member plays pickleball? How about something more mainstream? Hoops courts? Maintaining Bethel Dog Park? Skate Park? Isn’t there a $12 million in reserves and $700k left over from last year’s budget? Buy green space, do something. And budget more effectively.

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