The Peru Gazette

By John T. Ryan

The Peru Town Board and many Peru residents have had hopes that by late this year pickleball courts would be ready for play at the now closed Jenkins Street tennis courts. It’s not going to happen! At the Monday, April 25^th Town Board meeting Counselor Donald McBrayer, a vocal pickleball supporter, explained, “The NYS grant we would have received was for finishing only. We would be responsible for getting the sub-surface up to grade. That would have required us to dig down three feet, build it back out and pave it. We also had to do repairs on the fence. All this would have cost $30,000, which we simply don’t have at the moment.” When the high cost was determined, constructing only one court was considered, but the grant administrator determined that the $32,000 grant would have a greater impact in Plattsburgh where that amount of money would finish five new courts.

After listening to McBrayer’s report Board members discussed alternatives such as establishing courts at the Laphams Mills Park. Councilman McBrayer continues to favor a location inside the hamlet citing the Peru’s Comprehensive Plan, which advocates offering activities such as pickleball inside the hamlet. McBrayer also cited periodic limited parking at Laphams Mills Park. He views pickleball as an activity rather than an organized sport such as those supervised by the Peru Youth Commission.

Meanwhile, the Jenkins Street tennis court gates will remain locked until the Board determines if there is an appropriate and affordable use for the property.