NORTHAMPTON — A proposed appropriation of $350,000 for six outdoor pickleball courts was among more than $1.4 million in Community Preservation Act projects unveiled Tuesday by the City Council.

The courts would be built at Ray Ellerbrook Field off Prince Street, which also hosts soccer and lacrosse fields.

“Not only do I like this as a recreation opportunity — it’s a fun sport that I enjoy — but there’s stories of how it bridges gaps with different types of communities and generations,” said Sarah LaValley, assistant director for the city’s Planning & Sustainability department. “That’s just how important it is.”

Similar to the game of tennis, pickleball has exploded in popularity in recent years across the country, including in the Pioneer Valley. Several pickleball courts already exist in nearby communities such as Amherst, Easthampton and Holyoke.

LaValley told the council that an assessment study was conducted a few years ago to determine where in the city the courts should be located, with Ellerbrook Field eventually emerging as the preferred choice. The courts would be sited near the softball field and will be within walking distance of several nearby houses.

“This does not represent the full funding request,” LaValley said of the $350,000 funding request. “The recreation department was initially asking for $500,000 which is for the entirety of the project. They decided to lower that to make use of some fundraising capability in the pickleball community.”

Ann-Marie Moggio, the director of Northampton Parks & Recreation, said construction of the courts would begin once all of the funding was secured, and expressed hope that the courts would be ready by next summer. 

“There is a wonderful pickleball community that is figuring out a way to mobilize,” Moggio said. “I’m being optimistic, but there really is an intense interest in pickleball.” 

Although other pickleball courts, such as the one in Kiwanis Park in Amherst, have met with some local opposition from residents for issues such as noise, LaValley said the courts at Ellerbrook Field had met with approval from neighbors.

Ward 6 City Councilor Marianne LaBarge also spoke favorably of the proposed appropriation.

“I’ve heard from people throughout the city about this, and I think it’s great for the recreation department,” LaBarge said. “I’m also happy to hear there were meetings with neighbors around that area.”

In addition to the six outdoor pickleball courts, the city gave $30,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) for an indoor pickleball court in February, at the Allsport Arena on Old Ferry Road, where lessons are offered in addition to open play.

Other CPA requests

Other CPA funding recommendations made at Tuesday’s meeting include $420,000 to Valley CDC for an affordable housing project on Laurel Street; $628,000 for a multi-use and universal access trails within the Rocky Hill, Broad Brook and Connecticut River Greenway; and $65,000 for Historic Northampton’s Clothing Collection Preservation Project.

The council will vote on the CPA funding requests at its next meet ing, the last before the new year, when a new City Council will be formed.

CPA funds are generated through a surcharge on property tax bills that are matched by a state contribution. The total amount of funds this year is $200,000 more than the previous year’s CPA appropriations.

Alexander MacDougall can be reached at amacdougall@gazettenet.com.