The Tucker City Council heard about an extensive study measuring the noise impact of pickleball courts that included a recommendation that sound barriers be installed around the complex if it’s built.
In addition, the council heard a presentation that detailed reasons for choosing the Tucker Recreation Center as the best location for the courts.
Dr. Kenneth A. Cunefare, a principal at Arpeggio Acoustic Audiovisual Technology, made an extensive presentation at the Jan. 27 meeting about the typical amount of ambient noise outside the TRC, located at 4898 Lavista Rd.
He also discussed predicted noise levels that players, spectator sounds,and ball/paddle strikes would make when the courts are in play.
With a noise barrier in place, it would reduce the amount of noise generated by the courts to the ambient noise level that is usually heard outside of the facility, he said.
“The sound of play on up to 12 courts should usually be below the ambient levels,” Cunefare said. “It could still be audible to a greater or lesser degree depending on the ambient noise at any given moment.”
Cunefare recommended installing around the courts’ perimeter fence “a suitable barrier material (e.g., Acousticblok) to 10 feet above local grade.”
The cost of the sound barriers is estimated to be around $60,000, Tucker Parks & Recreation Director Rip Robertson said. That cost is not included in the estimated $3 million cost to build the facility.
He also recommended the installation of a natural berm around the courts to reduce visibility, but would not significantly reduce noise.
The study came about after a November 2024 community meeting where the majority of its attendees spoke in opposition to the complex, citing the noise impact on homes on nearby Morgan Road, the cost of building the courts on the city’s dwindling greenspace, the approximately $3 million price tag, and the lack of public input before the design phase.
Carlos Perez of Perez Planning + Design discussed several other locations that were evaluated to build the complex, which included designated areas in Fitzgerald and Henderson parks.
The highest-ranking facility was the TRC, based on multiple criteria – including space demand, economic feasibility, and impact. It scored an 81/90, compared with Fitzgerald Park (68/90) and Henderson Park (61/90).
Several council members asked specific questions about the two presentations.
Mayor Frank Auman asked Cunefare what the noise level would be if a football field were installed at TRC rather than the courts. He replied that the noise levels would be typically higher for that use.
About 75 people attended the meeting, but since it was a planning session, there was no opportunity for public comment. No action was taken after the two presentations.