WESTPORT–A plan to replace six cracked asphalt tennis courts at Staples High School with more durable post-tension concrete courts will come before the Representative Town Meeting (RTM) on Tuesday – with strong support from two RTM committees.

The $1,394,071 project would also add seating and increase access for players and spectators in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act by replacing stairs with ramps at two of the courts.

“It also allows for some bleachers and increased walk path, so companion seating will be available in the new bleachers,” Parks and Recreation Director Erik Barbieri told the RTM’s finance and parks and recreation committees in a Zoom meeting last night before both panels approved the plan unanimously.

Their votes in favor send the plan to the entire RTM next week.

While the courts are still used, the cracks make it difficult when players’ toes catch on them or tennis balls bounce off them, Barbieri said.

The work entails removing the courts, fencing and sidewalks and replacing them with the new courts, net posts, walks and new perimeter fencing. A memo on the project that Barbieri sent to the Board of Finance said work would begin next month and be done by Labor Day. Last night, he said it may be done even sooner.

“We think that the contractor could do this during the summer months and not have to affect late August,” he said. 

RTM member Chris Tait and resident Toni Simonetti asked why funds for the work would not come from the Board of Education budget rather than from town funds.

“The school budget was increased significantly this year,” Simonetti said. “I just don’t understand why the school is not paying for it.”

Barbieri noted that the entire town benefits from the courts.

“The bottom line is that they’re a public asset for all to be able to use,” he said.              

Westport Schools Superintendent Thomas Scarice said before the meeting that the courts are used by the physical education classes during the school day, the Staples girls and boys tennis teams in the spring and the general public when the classes and student athletes aren’t using them. 

While the courts are in playable condition – for now – Scarice said,  “certainly, they are currently not up to the standard that we expect of our facilities and are below the condition that many of our fellow FCIAC schools have.”