The town of Boothbay Harbor has moved forward with planning the design for the former tennis courts area at the intersection of Townsend Avenue and Emery Lane.

Danielle Betts of Knickerbocker Group presented two new ideas for the space, taking into account the suggestions of the selectmen at the last meeting on June 8. In the plan preferred by the selectmen, she adopted elements of the plan created by Don Leighton presented at July 13 meeting, including the flagpole, curved fence on the corner, and the angled placement of the court. She also added a pickleball court at the request of locals.

The new plan means a loss of eight parking spaces, but Betts stated she could “probably fit four of them back in” without much difficulty.

“Thank you for incorporating ideas (from Leighton) in the plan,” Selectmen Wendy Wolf said.

Since the preferred plan had only one pickleball court, Vice Chairman Bill Hamblen suggested also striping the basketball court to accommodate a game.

Ten local pickleball players showed up to the meeting to voice their needs for a court and to support the new designs presented by Betts. Also in attendance were members of the Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber of Commerce, local business owners, and a member of the planning board.

“From the chamber's point of view, we have no opinion on one design over another,” Executive Director Tony Cameron said. “Just the overall importance in creating a gateway is where our interests lie, something that will affect the area not just now but 10 and 20 years down the road.”

Owner of Harbor-Tech Solutions Russ Brackett also brought an idea to the table.

“The gateway should benefit the whole region, not just a handful of people,” Brackett said. “We have three main industries — tourism, lobstering, and boatbuilding. I'd like to see something that represents the town. Courts only serve a minority of people.”

Brackett showed the selectmen a photo from the town of Shediac in New Brunswick, Canada, which is home to a giant lobster sculpture. The sculpture weights 90 tons and has steps leading up to it, encouraging tourists to have their photo taken and for kids to climb on it. According to canadapost.ca, the lobster attracts around 500,000 tourists each year.

The selectmen decided the decision of gateway design was too important to be made by just them, and are now planning a workshop to create and solidify the plans. They will also be contacting people who have shown an interest in helping with the design and building.

“Thank you for putting (these designs) together,” Chairman Denise Griffin said to Betts.

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Plans solidifying for town gateway