PICKLEBALL NOISE

Has the Board already voted to approve this change?

http://bcpickleball.com/audiologist-tests-noise-level-during-pickleball-play/

Thwack!! Thwack! We LOVE the delightful sound of a pickleball popping off a paddle. Unfortunately, there are some who just don’t understand that this thwacking sound is a happy sound of pure fun. People who live close to outdoor courts sometimes complain about the noise of pickleball and some have even initiated lawsuits to address the issue.

http://www.gvnews.com/news/local/too-loud-pickleball-noise-upsets-neighbors/article_542c2aac-0f91-11e3-acdc-0019bb2963f4.html

While the popularity of Pickleball multiplies exponentially, it’s scoring resistance from neighbors who say the game is simply too loud. Detractors in xyz Valley are so annoyed they’re talking about a lawsuit.

Proponents hype the game’s exercise and social benefits; opponents say the repetitive noise made when wooden paddles strike plastic wiffle balls is just too much too close to home, even from inside with doors and windows closed.

The topic drew ire from several people at Tuesday’s meeting of the xyz Valley Recreation board, which drew about 100 people — about 10 times the normal attendance. But it wasn’t all about Pickleball. That was added to the agenda as the meeting convened, primarily so staff could outline noise-abatement options to acoustical fencing that hasn’t withstood the windy hillside where GVR’s four newest courts were installed about a year ago at xyz Ranch Rec Center.
In xyz Valley, Arizona, a developer has made a remarkable plan to mitigate the noise from the game of pickleball. First the court will be set 8 feet into the ground. Second, there will be 2 levels of walls tilted outward, so that all bounce sounds deflect straight up from the court. Third, there will be up to a six foot mound of dirt on top of the walls, and bushes will be planted on top of the mound! This seems like the perfect plan to allow for pickleball to be played without the noise problem for homeowners nearby.

The pickleball community members in xyz Valley are delighted that their 8 brand new courts will be designed and built with the whole community in mind. Unfortunately, lighting will not be provided for these beautiful, sound-proofed courts. That means the pickleball folks won’t be able to play during peak playing hours in the early evening. {OR AT NIGHT}

IMO: repair the tennis courts or face the (pun intended) music

Joanne,

Typically a set of a CC&Rs has a section that specifies that no activity that creates a nuisance is to be done on the property. A nuisance is subjective to the individual dealing with the issue. For example: A barking dog may be seen as normal behavior to one person but a nuisance to another.

This section of the CC&Rs should be considered with any complaint about the noise.

How much $$$ can your board spend without a vote form the Owners, Joanne, ????

I failed to mention one more very important consideration, how could the noise affect the resale value of my home?
Joanne

Melissa........that's a thought that no one has floated......and if they decide to do anything that disturbs people.....they can do it? Just saying'. Say they decide to operate electric scooters or noisy drones.....that would be ok? People cannot create disturbances so loud that it interferes with a person's right to quiet enjoyment. I will have to check again for what is a nuisance. Thanks.
Joanne

Good Morning Tim.....because when I bought my home, I weighed the fact that there was a tennis court NOT pickle ball court close to the property. Have you heard the difference between the two sports? Check out the internet if you doubt that there is great discussion and debate about this. I just want my community to go into this with their eyes wide open. I will be happy to use an amenity this close to my home and so will other players that I will invite who don't live here......I just don't want anyone cursing at me if we disturb them. Since it is AZ, we will play early in the morning and after sunset during the summer months. Just asking not accusing. Everyone had a difference tolerance level to noise.
Thanks,
Joanne

Good thing you are a former board president. A ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!
Make yourself a great day as will I.
Joanne

Where have I heard that before? Hmm ...

I am sure from me NPS a few thousand times at this point... but does anyone listen? Wait will I get sued for saying that? Better call the lawyer. It may sound like harassment or a threat... LOL!!!

You have any idea how much a HOA would actually saved if they stopped living off the lawyer's teet every time a decision or question was asked? All in the name of NOT of the Or heaven forbid acting irresponsibly for NOT contacting a lawyer. What our board didn't consult a lawyer? Well let's kick them out!

Tim, No voodoo! Just a simple case of bringing my paddle and hitting a few balls and telling the truth about my love for the sport which is trumped by my respect for my neighbors rights and the rights of those folks relaxing at the pool. This is a hot button issue all over the country and to smuggly say "tough schmit" is not going to fly in this litigious society....and I am not one of them. It would have been totally avoidable had the board done their due diligence.

Thanks for your input. Hope this discussion might help others in the future.
Joanne