Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Belen to upgrade its tennis courts

Brent Ruffner News-Bulletin Staff Writer; bruffner@news-bulletin.com

Belen The Belen City Council approved a measure Monday that will help renovate Eagle Park's four tennis courts.

The renovation, which is expected to begin by Oct. 22, will fill cracks and add a new acrylic surface to that portion of the park. The maintenance will also remove debris from under the old surface.

The money will come out of legislative appropriations and will cost about $23,000.

The project is expected to be completed by Nov. 1.

City Manager Sally Garley said the courts were in "a deteriorating condition" and were in need of an upgrade.

The plan includes a semi-annual maintenance schedule performed by Lone Mountain Contracting Inc. The plan also includes a two-year warranty on materials.

"They're in bad shape," Garley said. "It's something we wanted to do for people that utilize the facility."

Councilman Rudy Jaramillo agrees. "The courts haven't been resurfaced in eight or nine years," Jaramillo said. "It's something that our youth need."

Some residents are excited about the renovations.

Citizen Jerah Cordova of Belen said he occasionally plays tennis and likes the idea of new courts. "It wasn't very well maintained as it should have been," Cordova said. "But I think it'll be nice."

Britney Lardner, a Belen High School tennis player, said she frequently played on the courts and said she's is glad the city is renovating the park's courts.

"The courts were bad," Lardner said. "You'd bounce the ball one way, and it would bounce in the opposite direction. It's good (the city) is getting on it."

The city also announced the acquisition of about three city lots of land near Second Street and Becker Avenue. The city exchanged four acres of land near the north Belen interchange in the deal.

The city had to obtain the land before it could begin renovations on Belen's original commuter rail, the Doodlebug, which is stored on the property. The rail ran in Belen from 1939 to 1968.

In other action, the council: