Renovations to Hampton tennis courts likely on pause

It’s unlikely that Hampton will renovate its tennis courts this summer, after estimates for the project far exceeded initial expectations.

The township originally planned to fix cracks in the courts, convert one of the six tennis courts into three pickleball courts and install additional fencing. Officials hoped construction would be completed in August in time for the start of the tennis season at Hampton High School.

However, Chris Lochner, municipal manager, said estimates came in at $397,000 — nearly double the $200,000 budget.

He said multiple contractors didn’t consider the project because the narrow time frame, so he expects to have better results bidding the project later this year.

“Residents are already lining up for the pickleball courts that we haven’t built yet. So there’s no doubt that they would like to see us do the project,” Lochner said at a June 14 Hampton Township Council meeting.

Council also discussed the possible demolition of a property at 5130 William Flynn Highway, Route 8. Lochner called the building “totally uninhabitable” due to a caved-in roof and asbestos contamination. He estimated that the demolition will cost $200,000 on top of another $75,000 to $100,000 for asbestos removal.

Amanda Gold-Lukas, township land development director, said that asbestos from ceiling tile covers floors, furnishings and other areas of the building.

The money for the demolition would come out of the township’s emergency reserve fund, said Controller Jerry Speakman. He said about $900,000 is currently in that fund. However, if the property sells, the township could collect up to $300,000 back since a lien will be placed on it.

“It hasn’t been sold in 25 years. To me there is no assurance that it will ever sell,” Speakman said. “I don’t know what the conditions will be. So it’ll need to be a decision that’s based upon potentially never receiving this money back.”

Council will vote on whether to move forward with the demolition at its June 28 meeting. Council member Julie Fritsch called the property a “significant liability.”

“I mean, it’s dangerous, especially if someone’s trying to get in there. And kids like to play around in stuff like that, and they don’t understand how dangerous it is,” she said.