By Michael P. Walsh
Special to the Voice
Dorinda Borer cut a “Westie blue” ribbon with members of the West Haven High School boys and girls tennis teams, city officials, neighbors, and project contractors to celebrate the official opening of Painter Park’s new tennis and pickleball courts July 29.
Joined by City Council members Anne Heffernan, D-1, and Gary Donovan, D-4, Borer and Department of Parks and Recreation employees handed out pickleball paddles, tennis rackets and balls, all sponsored by Hinding Tennis LLC of West Haven, which built the tennis and pickleball courts.
Before the ribbon-cutting, Borer opened the ceremony with remarks praising the $1 million recreation project, paid for by American Rescue Plan Act funds.
“This park is a source of pride for us and is part of the fabric of our community,” the mayor said. “Thank you for making a better place for the city of West Haven.”
Borer commended Parks and Recreation Director Mark E. Paine Jr. for his leadership in helping to bring the project to fruition and for the lion’s share of the work carried out by his team in the summer months.
“I am very excited to open these courts up,” said Paine, whose department operates the Kelsey Avenue courts, which will remain open from sunrise to sunset until Park-Rec implements a new online permit process.
He thanked Borer for finally moving the needle to put ARPA funds to use across the city and for getting the project done.
Painter Park’s original triple-tiered clay tennis courts were built nearly a century ago, in 1928, and had fallen into disrepair.
Paine said the new complex is composed of four posttension concrete tennis courts to increase playability and longevity. The two front courts are also lined for two pickleball courts, the complex’s first.
Along with the courts, the project includes proper drainage, benches and vinyl-coated chain-link fencing.
In addition, two lower courts are paved with asphalt to create a street hockey/soccer space and a multiuse surface, Paine said.
Borer was joined by girls tennis coach Mike Barraco, captain Michelle Ceja, and players Diana Morales, Martha Agustin, Jocelyn Otero, Angelina Torres and Caitlin Pinedo.
The mayor was also joined by boys tennis coach Justin Wentworth, co-captains Adam Chouiki and Daniel Davis, and player Adnan Dost.
Chouiki delivered remarks on behalf of the teams, saying the “beautiful” and “amazing” courts are a place “where people can bond as a community.”
Charlie Liberti, a senior pickleball player who lobbied for the new courts and spearheaded West Haven’s first-ever pickleball program, said he is proud the city took action and is looking forward to playing.
“Pickleball is the most social racket game I know of,” Liberti told the crowd, which included city Human Resources Commissioner John M. Carrano, who oversees Paine’s department.
Starting Aug. 12, Pickle Spot of Orange will offer a five-week “beginner series” to players 18 and older at the Painter Park courts. Lessons from certified coaches will meet Tuesdays from 6-7 p.m. A minimum of four players is required to run each class; paddles and balls are provided.
At the event, Pickle Spot was represented by Managing Director Sarah Sirry and member Ron Iannotti.
Paine said Park-Rec will start offering tennis lessons in the coming weeks.