Post from Bradenton USAPA Ambassador, Toni Teasdale
Having attended the February 27th meeting regarding future plans for Kinnan Park (located in Sarasota but part of the Manatee County School district), I am pleased to say that we have two Manatee County commissioners who are on our side for promoting an increase in pickleball courts anywhere in Manatee County.
The preliminary plan for Phase 1 at Kinnan Park does not include pickleball courts but nothing is set in stone. If enough people speak out about including pickleball in Phase 1, the proposed dog park (or some other aspects of the preliminary plan) could get bumped and replaced with pickleball courts.
While at the meeting I spoke with Charlie Hunsicker, Director, Parks & Natural Resources for Manatee County, about the plans for the outdoor courts at G T Bray. The very preliminary plans are very different from what we were last told. Included in the proposed current plan:
All existing hard courts for tennis and pickleball to be
rebuilt, all as designated covered pickleball courts. The
number of courts could be as many as fourteen.
Four hard tennis courts to be built across from the
skatepark.
When speaking with Charlie it was clear that the purse strings held by the commissioners plays a huge role in any of the plans for Parks & Natural Resources anywhere in Manatee County. That is why it is so important that we contact these commissioners and let them know we would like to see more courts wherever it is feasible to put them. Their decisions in the budget approval process are critical for future growth. Hearing from the public influences their decisions.
Please take a few moments to either call or email these commissioners (or any that you know) to ask for their support in promoting more pickleball courts in Manatee County. It doesn’t matter what district they cover. You don’t have to speak to them personally, but leave a message stating your hope that they/she will support plans for future pickleball courts. If you do speak with anyone personally, please share your feedback.
Misty Servia
Email: misty.servia@mymanatee.org
Bus: 941 745-3713
Cell: 941 256-4261
You could also communicate with Misty via her Facebook listing in the Manatee County Commissioners group.
Betsy Benac
Email: betsy.benac@mymanatee.org
Bus: 941 745-3714
Cell: 941 685-4209