During a recent government meeting, community members voiced strong opposition to a proposed pickleball facility in Boca Raton, citing concerns over increased traffic, noise pollution, and environmental impacts. Resident Courtney Romaine, who has lived in the area for three years, highlighted the already challenging traffic conditions on Northwest Second Avenue, exacerbated by school buses and flooding. She argued that the facility would worsen these issues and questioned the necessity of the project, suggesting that existing facilities could accommodate local demand.

Another resident, Robert Fox, echoed Romaine's concerns about noise and called for a discount on membership fees for nearby residents. He also urged the Parks Department to enhance the landscaping around the proposed site to maintain property values in the community.

Don, a resident from Sandy Ranch, raised issues regarding the lack of communication from the Parks District, which he claimed had not adequately addressed inquiries from over 1,700 homeowners about the project. He warned that failure to engage with the community could lead to legal repercussions and recommended tabling the proposal until further legal advice was obtained.

In response, a Parks District representative noted that a recent poll indicated significant community interest in pickleball courts, with over 30% of respondents expressing a desire for such facilities. The representative emphasized that this would be the first purpose-built indoor pickleball facility in South Florida, which they believe would enhance tourism and potentially increase property values in the area.

Despite the concerns raised, the board ultimately approved the conditional use and site plan resolutions for the facility, with a vote of 5 to 1 in favor. The meeting underscored the tension between community interests and development plans, highlighting the ongoing debate over balancing growth with residents' quality of life.