Krause Tennis Center Town Hall Set For Oct. 4

ROSWELL, GA — Now that the dust is beginning to settle over the now-defunct controversial plan to build a massive tennis center at Big Creek Park, the city of Roswell wants to reboot the process to include public feedback on any proposal set to come before elected officials.

This will formally begin with a town hall meeting set for 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 4 at the East Roswell Park Community Activity Building. Mayor Lori Henry said Roswell officials will discuss how the city handled the project. She also said staff members will engage citizen interest in establishing a tennis center at another location in Roswell. Henry also notes the city will "explore the community's vision for East Roswell area parks."

This latest moves follows the implosion of the proposed Angela Krause Tennis, Pickleball and Fitness Center on about 60 acres at Big Creek Park after widespread public outcry. City leaders chose not to move forward with a proposed memorandum of understanding that would have formally got the project off the ground.

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"The author R.J. Ellory once said, "Hindsight, ever the cruelest and most astute advisor"," Henry said. "This surely is the case with the tennis facility project. When I look back at the situation, I see a lot of room for improvement and I intend to make sure those improvements happen."

Henry notes that while the Council, "with best intentions," unanimously voted to move the project forward, her job as mayor is to ensure the city's process serves the best interest of the community. Following the debacle, Henry said Roswell will upload all master plans on its website for residents and stakeholders to access. She's also requested city staff members to write a policy so that these plans are reviewed and updated on a regular basis.

"I recognize that as time passes, the needs and wishes of a community can change," she said. "The city needs to make certain master plans accurately represent the wishes of the community."

Henry said she's also requesting a new policy that would require public engagement whenever key changes are being considered to public property. It's the job of elected officials, she said, to go to the community to get the necessary feedback.

The East Roswell Park Community Activity Building is at 9000 Fouts Road.

Image via city of Roswell