Many residents may think that the concerned homeowners and Tennis Club are against Pickleball.

This is very far from reality.

Several in the homeowners’ group are Pickleball and Tennis players.A few even do both sports.  Residents like others in Saddlebrooke, enjoy the use of their outdoor patios. The concern is about a specific action and the location, not with the sport or the players.

Homeowners have questions about the wise use of HOA funds. They are concerned about the noise and location of courts. Is the Preserve an appropriate location? HOA2 homeowners are worried about the efficient and fair use of dues and reserve funds. Spending it wisely may include future spending for Pickleball. That is part of good planning and a budget. And in the middle of all this is the reciprocal planning process. But we seem to repeating past mistakes, instead of moving forward wisely. Several years ago, Pickleball courts in the same area were removed due to noise complaints and its affect on nearby sales.

The homeowners are also concerned about noise at Ridgeview. Can noise at Ridgeview be mitigated with better planning in the future? If it is expanded more, can that be done with less impacts? We should all be good neighbors, to residents of HOA1 and HOA2.

When Pickleball moved into Preserve (without notice) it was promised to be a “ temporary” situation. Homeowners and Tennis Players, did trust and cooperate. They did it in the spirit of cooperation to help Pickleball. When homeowners were promised better communication, they trusted Pickleball and the HOA board.

And based on that promise of better communication, were shocked when the HOA2 board  announced that they would be considering a proposal from Pickleball. That is to make the courts permanent and double the amount of use at these “temporary” courts. The announcement for a working meeting was done with a minimum three day notice in a Monday message.

Homeowners tried to communicate with other Preserve homeowners via a discussion thread on the Preserve unit website.  But the post was removed by the unit webmaster.

Only via others did homeowners learn that the working meetings would have presentations. And that the HOA2 board would choose specific individuals,  who would make  presentations.

In the following days they learned that homeowners who were pickleball players were being asked to make presentations about any homeowner concerns. And that homeowners could ask questions at the end but not comment.

Pickleball and the HOA initially identified two reasons or problems to justify the emergency temporary use at the Preserve. The homeowners tackled these areas first.

Homeowners contacted Robson about removing delays and roadblocks for Pickleball.

With that effort, homeowners found out that Robson has agreed to reinstate pickleball reciprocal for Saddlebrooke players to use six additional courts at the Ranch. This is an important intermediate step for Pickleball court use. County work was also completed by Robson, so Pickleball could proceed with building additional courts at Ridgeview.

Solutions were provided that addressed the justification for the use at the Preserve. But homeowners were surprised that the HOA was still considering permanent conversion at the Preserve. And even more surprised that none of that information was presented to all residents and homeowners during the working meeting. More indications that pointed to a final outcome.

The core group of homeowners started working with a couple of legal firms to identify issues. This seemed to be the only option after the promise of improved communication had failed and there were no other avenues available.

HOA2 bought Ridgeview for a Pickleball Center. Residents from the entire community have been relatively left out this process. How did they feel about the proposal to pay SPA money to remove courts in the future? How did they feel absorbing obligations for use by both HOA’s? How did they feel about change of use? How do homeowners feel about Pickleball spending funds at the Preserve rather than Ridgeview when they are asking for more base funding? Money spent at the Preserve would delay funds needed for Ridgeview.  A reciprocal analysis and negotiation is underway.

An HOA has an obligation to not impact homeowners’ rights to the healthy and reasonable enjoyment of their property. There is no denying that Pickleball noise will affect the rights and enjoyment by residents. Whether by contract or otherwise, homeowners bought and moved into an area with that expectation.

Homeowners recognize that Pickleball continues to be a sport enjoyed by residents. As mentioned in the presentation, it is a fun and healthy way for residents to spend time. It is a reality that Saddlebrooke was planned prior to Pickleball’s arrival in the community. There are many other communities with similar challenges and conflicts. Some repeated right here. Why do we keep it up?

No one sought conflict, or needs it. The severe impacts to homeowners, tennis users, other clubhouse users and the concern for HOA management and funding, and lack of communication, pointed to legal options as the only path available. We can only hope that the HOA board makes the right decision to continue with the current Ridgeview project and discontinues the “temporary” use at Preserve,

The HOA board consists of fellow neighbors and residents, who are all volunteers doing a difficult job. Pickleballers are looking for ways to expand their sport and are enthusiastic supporters.  The tennis community is concerned about the lack of playing courts for their growing membership and non member resident usage. Homeowners seek to maintain home-equity and fully enjoy use of their property. And residents want to ensure that their dues are spent wisely.

Despite the missteps along the way, homeowners have still offered to assist the HOA with planning efforts that could improve Pickleball in Saddlebrooke’s future.