Weirton Park Board hoping to settle Marland Heights court dispute
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WEIRTON -- The Weirton Board of Parks and Recreation is attempting to settle a dispute over the use of the tennis courts at Marland Heights Park.
The board, meeting Wednesday morning, heard debate from a Marland Heights resident, who has played tennis at the park for years, and members of the growing Weirton Pickleball Association.
"Our goal is to have a resolution where both sides can be satisfied," explained Park Board Chair Ed Bowman.
Resident Doretta Bish explained, while the courts traditionally have been used by residents to play tennis, there is an increasing number of pickleball players making use of them.
"My husband was told they were going to use them a couple nights," she said, adding, though, signs were posted which she said reserved the courts for pickleball three or four nights a week.
Mike Veltri, of the Weirton Pickleball Association, explained the group has been growing since its establishment last year.
"We have 48 people who come and play," Veltri said, noting the sign was an attempt to have scheduled group play times.
Dean Harris, who lives on Marland Heights and also plays pickleball, noted association members often play at Starvaggi Memorial Park in the mornings, and then Marland Heights Park in the afternoons and evenings.
The courts at Starvaggi, this time of year, also are used by the tennis teams from Weir High and Madonna High.
City Manager Mike Adams said, while he understands the issue, it also shows there is use of the recreational facilities in the city.
"I love the fact we're getting use out of these courts," Adams said, suggesting the possibility of establishing a priority schedule for the two sports.
Harris explained the issue isn't isolated to Weirton, either, pointing to conversations he has had with his son, who lives in Oregon where pickleball has been played for many years.
"It's a controversy out there. This is not something new," he said.
Following a recommendation from Norm White, a member of the pickleball association, the board opted to establish a focus group, to begin meeting next week, with two representatives of the pickleball players and two representatives of the tennis players, as well as Parks Executive Director Coty Shingle and board member Iris Himmelrick.
"I'm hoping this is a temporary problem," Shingle said. "We're looking for the future."
(Howell can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com, and followed via Twitter @CHowellWDT)