Sewickley officials mull Chadwick Park upgrades, seek state grant

Pickleball may be coming to Chadwick Park in Sewickley.

Council is considering the addition, as well as refurbishing the park’s tennis courts and basketball area, as part of its ongoing efforts to improve recreational amenities.

“We have a backlog of needs in terms of refurbishing the parks, and we’re just getting started,” said council president Cynthia Mullins.

Pickleball combines elements of tennis, badminton and ping-pong. It’s played with rackets/paddles and a plastic ball with holes and a slightly modified tennis net. Serves are underhand.

The borough plans to pay for the park modifications with the help of a $250,000 grant through the Commonwealth Financing Authority’s Greenways, Trails and Recreation program.

Council at its Tuesday, May 10 meeting authorized applying for it.

Borough Manager Donna Kaib said the grant comes with a 15% borough match, which is covered in the budget.

Councilman Brian Bozzo said the application would be submitted by borough grant writer Kimberley Hileman, and he is confident it will be awarded.

“We look forward to spending it to improve the community,” he said.

2 options considered

Two options are on the table for Chadwick Park.

One option involves expanding the two tennis courts to regulation size, relocating a piece of playground equipment to the front of the park and expanding the concrete section by the basketball hoop into a more multi-purpose court that could be used for pickleball.

A second option would make one full-size tennis court, a second court that could be used for tennis or pickleball and a slight expansion of the basketball area into a half-court. The second option does not involve moving playground equipment.

Cost to be determined

Borough engineer Mike Galet said he was still working on prices for both options. The second option would be slightly cheaper due to less paving.

Galet said he expects either project to cost upwards of $200,000.

“There are some options like pole lighting,” he said. “If you want to put lighting in there, that can be an alternate that if they want to pay extra for, would probably kick us over the $250,000 (grant).”

Pickleball is something at least several residents have been asking for within the past year.

“It’s becoming more popular,” Mullins said. “I think older folks like to play pickleball because you don’t have as much court coverage as you do with tennis.”

Park upgrades are still in the conceptual design phase.

Kaib said she does not expect to hear back from the state on the grant application for about six months.

Galet said he expects the project to be available to go out for bid around this time next year.