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1 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Ashland clamping down on deer feeding ... Semi and pickup destroyed in early morning fire ... St. Mary's robotics teams heading to world competition ... Ashland clamping down on deer feeding ... Semi and pickup destroyed in early morning fire ... St. Mary's robotics teams heading to world competition ... TALENT City Council mulls cracked tennis courts Comment By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune Posted Mar. 25, 2016 at 2:55 PM Updated Mar 25, 2016 at 4:49 PM By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune Posted Mar. 25, 2016 at 2:55 PM Updated Mar 25, 2016 at 4:49 PM » Social News The city of Talent has fenced off one of the tennis courts at Chuck Roberts Park because of extensive cracks. A second court remains open but may close if the cracking gets worse. The cracks were likely caused by the ground settling. “We are encouraging people to send in their comments (to the city),” said Parks and Recreation Commission Chairman Paul Hadella. “I guess there are some on the City Council wondering whether it is worthwhile to resurface the courts.” Some of the cracks are almost 2 inches wide and penetrate the 4-inch asphalt base. One large crack runs up a doubles court perimeter line, while another spans nearly the entire southern section that includes both courts. Patching has been done on the open court. City Manager Tom Corrigan told City Council that money set aside for acquisition of park land could be used for the project. At its March 2 meeting, the council voted to use $10,000 of the acquisition money for upgrades to the splash pad installed at the park last summer. The city has received several donations of park land recently, but funding is not available to maintain additional park lands, said Corrigan. Corrigan approached council March 16 about spending $25,000 to resurface the courts. The bid was the lowest of three received. But upon inspection of the courts, the company determined the project would cost about $7,000 less than originally estimated. “It’s never been totally resurfaced,” said Corrigan, who will present the new cost figures when council meets April 6. Repair work would include filling about 500 feet of cracks on both courts, installing a triple membrane covering and then applying a new finished surface. A three-year warranty would be given on the work. Cracks were repaired in 2004 and 2008, Corrigan said. “We are not saying no, we just want to consider,” Mayor Darby Stricker said at the March 16 meeting after several councilors wondered whether resurfacing is the best use of money that might be spent elsewhere at Chuck Roberts Park. During warm weather, up to 25 pickle ball players use the court on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings, Hadella said. Repair of the court has been on the commission’s work list for a couple years. “My personal opinion is that I think the tennis courts are very important,” said Hadella. “I think more would use our courts if they were in better shape. It would be a shame, looking into the future five or 10 or 15 years from now, to not have a tennis court.” So far the city has received four comments in favor of resurfacing and one asking for more information, Corrigan said. Fencing has not interfered with pickle ball play on the remaining court, said Doug Godwin of Ashland. He and six others played Thursday morning despite cool and damp conditions. “The cracks aren’t that bad,” said Godwin. “Late last summer one of the players patched one crack on part of the court.” Up to 16 players can play on the court at one time. Players from outside town frequently stay afterward for coffee or lunch, helping local businesses, Godwin added. Comments about the repairs can be sent to [email protected] or called in to 541-535-1566. Tony Boom is an Ashland freelance writer. Reach him at [email protected] By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune Posted Mar. 25, 2016 at 2:55 PM Updated Mar 25, 2016 at 4:49 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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