Plans for revamping the tennis courts at Windmont Park were presented to the Kewanee Park Board at their meeting Thursday.
Parks Director Andrew Dwyer said the tentative renovation plan includes a tennis court which can be converted to four pickleball courts using portable nets, as well as a basketball court with a full-height hoop and a lower one for young players.
New facing and lighting would also be installed, Dwyer said.
Park board members wondered if there would be a conflict between tennis and pickle ball players, and Dwyer said that if necessary, one or the other could use the courts at Northeast Park instead of the ones at Windmont.
Board member Jim Heberer asked if there was enough demand for tennis courts in the community to justify rehabbing the Windmont courts. Dwyer replied that it would be good to have tennis facilities available on both sides of the city.
The surface of the tennis courts at Windmont has been deteriorating for years, and the courts get little play now.
Dwyer said he hopes to have a final plan for the renovation ready for board consideration at its June meeting.
Also Thursday:
— The board approved a two-year agreement with Direct Energy to provide electricity to the park district at a slight increase over the district’s current contract.
But Dwyer said when the new solar array at Baker Park comes online in a month or two, the district’s electricity expense should be reduced by about a third.
— Dwyer reported that about 340 kids have been signed up for the youth soccer program. That’s up from fewer than 300 a couple of years ago.
— Dwyer reported that the district will be starting the paperwork for the state Open Space Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) grant that will pay for a new splash pad and other improvements at Liberty Park. He said he hopes the plans can be “shovel ready” in time to start construction next spring, and have the splash pad open for the summer of 2025.
