Cutting the ribbon to open the two pickleball courts at Town Hall on Aug. 25 was a group effort that included (from left, front row) Senior Center Director Lisa Anderson, Parks and Recreation Commissioners David DeiDolori, Community Preservation Committee Coordinator Sabrina Pooler, Council on Aging Board Chair Paula LeBlanc, Assistant Chief Administrative Officer Nadine Cignoni, Select Board Chair Diane Gale, COA board members Donna Foisy and Carol Laughlin, (from left, back row) P&R Director Cara Cartello, Select Board member Doug Moglin, CPC and P&R board member John Whalley III, and Select Board member Russ Anderson.
Reminder Publishing photos by Cliff Clark
SOUTHWICK — With two players waiting to play, a group of town officials, and commission and committee members, formally opened the two pickleball courts at Town Hall on the morning of Aug. 25.
“This project reflects our ongoing commitment to keeping seniors moving and socially connected,” said Southwick Senior Center Director Lisa Anderson. “Pickleball is one of the fastest-growing sports in the country, and this new space provides seniors with a fun, safe, and healthy way to stay active while also being a great recreational asset for the entire community.”
The new multi-sport court, located in Prifti Park behind the Senior Center, features two pickleball courts, a basketball and shuffleboard court.
While the courts give priority to seniors during daytime hours, they are open to the public at other times, ensuring all residents have the opportunity to stay active and engaged.
“I am very happy to have these activities for the seniors of Southwick. The more activities, the better. Thank you to all who made this possible,” said Council on Aging Board Chair Paula LeBlanc.
It was in September 2023 that the former Senior Center director proposed building the courts after the interest shown by seniors after two temporary courts were set up that summer.
The director also proposed four courts being installed at Whalley Park. The plan has since been modified to have six built at the park.
At the December 2023 Special Town Meeting, residents approved two Community Preservation Committee requests to fund the construction of the two courts at Town Hall and four at Whalley Park, for $115,000 and $207,000, respectively.
The outdoor courts are just one piece of a larger wellness plan developed at the Senior Center. The initiative includes a variety of indoor and outdoor programs such as pool tables, a fitness gym, indoor shuffleboard, dance classes, yoga sessions, and more activities designed to promote healthy, active lifestyles, Anderson said.
“We invite residents of all ages to visit, participate in activities, and learn more about the expanding programs available,” she said.
For more information about the Senior Center and its programs, call 413-569-5498.
When the town’s Parks and Recreation Commission began planning for the courts’ construction early last year, there was some concern that the $115,000 allocated wouldn’t be enough.
That led to a proposal during a commission meeting in August 2024 to eliminate the two courts at Town Hall and instead build six at Whalley Park. One of the reasons was a belief the $115,000 allocation wouldn’t cover the cost of the two courts’ installation.
That drew immediate pushback from the Council on Aging who sought a second opinion from former interim Building and Grounds Director Russ Anderson, who is now a Select Board member.
He determined the courts could be installed for less — $107,636 — and the commission gave the project the green light.
