Second county rec meeting turns into track versus pickleball

Tears, arguments and an age divide dominated the second County Recreation Hearing regarding how to use the hospital field along S. Shady Street. Six days after a contentious County Recreation meeting regarding a Local Parks and Recreation Fund grant on March 18, this March 25 meeting was just as contentious as the first, despite efforts to avoid a divide. These meetings are part of an application process that the county approved during last week's full county commissioner meeting. The county seeks a Local Parks and Recreation Fund Grant from the State of Tennessee, which would require a 25% local match. This means that for $2.25 million received, the county would have to put up $325,000, plus $425,000 worth of land. Potter hopes other grants could cover that $325,000 so the county minimizes its out-of-pocket cost. The subject of the heated debates is a 5.93-acre parcel of land next to the Johnson County Community Hospital, which will be donated to the county. Initial renderings, which County Mayor Larry Potter said multiple times are being changed, showed a ball field, eight pickleball courts and parking. Potter later called this rendering "a warm and fuzzy idea," while noting nothing is final until a land survey is done. Potter stood in the middle of the back and forth, repeatedly saying he would include all these comments, including the letters and emails he got, in the application. During the nearly hour-long meeting, Potter would call on people to talk. Over a dozen different people spoke at the meeting, but most did not identify themselves before or during their say. The format led to chaotic moments where people in disagreement started talking over and interrupting each other. At this meeting, many high school track and field athletes showed up and spoke on how inadequate their track is, imploring the county to build a brand-new, modern track and field facility on the land. A petition claiming to have 473 signatures in favor of a track and field facility was presented to the county recreation board. One student said their current track is roughly about 270 meters around, which is too small to host meets. Others talked about how the track is paved and not the rubbery surface that meets are typically held on. Having only a paved surface, the track athletes argued, leads to more lower-body injury and ailments. It was also noted that runners can't run with spiked shoes on pavement like on a rubber surface and can't practice using the starting blocks that sprint racers (400 meters and less) use. Additionally, the current track doesn't have space or equipment for field events, such as long jump, triple jump, pole vault or shot put. Some parents joined in, saying they've driven their children to Boone, Kingsport, Johnson City and other places so they can practice and compete on proper tracks. Another said there are college scholarships available for track athletes. On the pickleball side, one proponent, who introduced himself as a former pastor, said he's never heard a profane word on a pickleball court. Others said it's something people of all ages can enjoy, implying that pickleball should be the first priority. At points, the contention boiled over. For instance, a female high school track and field athlete spoke about how the program has helped her potentially receive a college athletic scholarship. In response, a pickleball proponent called her "sweetheart" and asked why hasn't the school board taken care of the track. Later, a pro-track adult quipped that there are no scholarships in pickleball. At the end, Commissioners' Board Chair Freddy Phipps, who was in the crowd and not on the recreation committee, said they can make the track and pickleball courts both work. The grant application was due on March 29. When pressed on when work could begin, Potter said he hoped for this time next year. In Mountain City, there is one public place for pickleball players. The six pickleball courts at Cunningham Park are converted tennis courts. The fencing is rusted and the courts are in some disrepair. After the meeting, The Tomahawk measured the current JCHS track with a tape measure and found it to be an imperfect oval, with the south-end turn much smaller than the north-end turn. The straightaways were measured at 68.5 meters long each, the south-end turn at 61.76 meters and the north-end turn at 76.2 meters, putting the track at 274.78 meters per lap. Standard outdoor tracks are 400 meters per lap (four laps equal a mile). Track lanes are supposed to be four feet wide (1.22 meters), while the six-lane track at JCHS is cumulatively 22 feet wide, meaning lanes are smaller than regulation by almost half a foot.