This birds-eye view shows the location of the six existing paddle tennis courts and clubhouse in the southeast corner of KLM Park. The Hinsdale Paddle Tennis Association wants to build two more courts at the site. (photo provided)
Hinsdale paddle tennis enthusiasts likely will have two new courts to use at Katherine Legge Memorial Park this fall or winter.
"We feel like this proposal is a win-win-win situation," said Kevin Parks, a board member of the Hinsdale Platform Tennis Association, citing the village, HPTA and the public as beneficiaries. "Through our partnership with the village, we have been able to create a world-class facility now over at KLM park.
"It competes with anything in public programs, in private programs around the area and really across the country. It's a beautiful facility. Making it even better is a privilege that we have in front of us," he added.
The Hinsdale Village Board Tuesday reviewed HPTA's request to expand its special-use permit to build two new courts. HPTA already manages six paddle tennis courts and a clubhouse at the site.
The new courts will be located almost 132 feet from the south property line abutting King-Bruwaert Independent and Assisted Living Facility in Burr Ridge and almost 227 feet from the east property line next to single-family homes in Burr Ridge. Existing courts have 92- and 60-foot setbacks.
Each new court will be lighted with LED lights that will be place on an automatic timer system to operate from 7 a.m. until 10:30 p.m. The lights will be installed at a 90-degree angle and should not provide glare to adjacent properties.
HPTA plans at some point to replace the lights at the existing six courts with LED lights, Parks said. The ordinance approving the expansion of the existing special-use permit will include a timeline of two years for that to occur.
"It's a goal to do it a lot sooner than that," Parks said.
The Hinsdale Plan Commission voted 9-0 to approve the project after holding a public hearing in June.
HPTA has some 800 members, about half of which are from Hinsdale, said Parks, a Hinsdale resident himself.
"It's a bona fide community that really uses the asset over there," he said.
Trustees expect to vote on the request at their next meeting Tuesday, Aug. 13. If they give their approval, HPTA will prepare a bid package and go out to bid for the project, with construction expected to begin this fall.
"We're hopeful that we can begin construction in that September/October time frame so we can use those courts for our league play through this winter," Parks said Wednesday.
