ST. ALBANS CITY — Houghton Park’s basketball and tennis courts are set for an upgrade this summer. The City of St.
Albans is moving forward with resurfacing the courts, installing new equipment and reinvigorating the area as part of a much needed renovation to St. Albans’ southwest-side park. “They (basketball courts) are just long past their life expectancy,” recreation director Kelly Viens said.
“And the tennis courts are unusable.” Construction is expected to begin this June and extend throughout the summer. Work consists of adding new asphalt, installing new equipment and repainting the lines, and Viens said the area will be fenced off as the new base material is allowed to cure for 30 days.
One of the two tennis courts will also be repurposed during construction to create three new pickleball courts at Houghton Park. Viens said the rec committee received strong feedback from a contingent of local residents asking to re-line the courts as the sport grows in popularity. “It’s the fastest growing adult form of recreation in America,” Viens said.
“It’s easier on the joints. There’s less space to cover and it uses a lighter racket and lighter ball. .
.. When it first came about, it was mostly older people, and now all kinds of people are playing.
” Viens said the court upgrade should also help fulfill an agreement to improve Houghton Park following the construction of the new city pool at the Hard’Ack Recreation Area. After demolishing the former p.
