PLYMOUTH – The reaction to Plymouth’s plans to implement four new pickleball courts at Mary Fate Park, over top the existing court space, was not unanimous.
In the words of Councilman Matthew Patrick, he and other council members “got some fuzz” about the courts. However, he believes the positives outweigh the negatives, largely because of a grant offered by the Richland County Foundation.
Patrick announced plans for the pickleball courts at the Oct. 27 council meeting, putting forth an estimate of $1,000-$1,500 per net. Mayor Cassaundra Fryman then received a call from the Foundation, linking a contact with President Pro-Tem Susan Broderick.
An official grant is yet to be finalized, but council is excited about the offer.
“They would like to possibly help us with the nets and some other things,” Broderick said. “We’ve talked about some of the park’s needs … maybe the playground at some point on the other end of town. Some of those things are going to have to be grant things.
“We don’t have the money to do that kind of thing.”
Plymouth also recouped some money in the sale of a fire department ambulance. The vehicle was sold to the University of New Mexico for $18,000 via a posting on GovDeals.com, according to legislation.
A number of projects remain on deck and in progress around the village, including revisions to the construction agreement between Plymouth, the State of Ohio and Wheeling & Lake Erie Railway Company for sidewalk improvements along State Route 603.
“The village remains in a sound financial position at month’s end,” said Fryman, reading a statement from Plymouth’s Fiscal Officer DiAnn Jamerson. “Operating funds show positive balances. Utility funds remain strong, and all accounts are reconciled successfully.
“We will continue monitoring large infrastructure projects and related encumbrances, particularly the East Road rehabilitation, safe routes to school and baseline road bridge projects, while maintaining adequate reserves within the general fund and utility operations.”
Council will meet next Nov. 24 at 7 p.m. at 48 W. Broadway St.
