At Boothbay Harbor selectmen’s March 24 meeting, the board unanimously voted to proceed with phase one of the plans for the old tennis courts — demolition.

The courts are located at the corner of Townsend Avenue and Emery Lane, and have been severly damaged over time, due to drainage issues and lack of maintenance.

According to Town Manager Tom Woodin, Public Works Director Jody Lewis was eager to go ahead with demolition while he had the time to do so, as soon the crew will be involved with rebuilding the cold storage building, finishing the Fish Pier, and helping build the Route 27 sidewalk.

“Jody has a window of opportunity now,” Woodin said. “And we don't want them to be an eyesore all summer long.”

The fencing will be removed and the courts torn up. Gravel will then be added to help with drainage and the area will be seeded with grass so it will be attractive until phase two plans are finalized.

Several people from the audience spoke up regarding the next phase of the courts.

“We should maintain the courts for athletic use,” George Friant of Boothbay Harbor said. “Every year enrollment at the school is down, so why are we creating more parking?”

Friant also asked the selectmen to “not rush into a decision” about the courts.

Shawn Pitcher of Boothbay Harbor suggested using the area for basketball courts. “I've got three kids of my own, and they need places to go. Give them an option other than sitting at home in front of their iPads or playing video games,” Pitcher said.

Selectman Jay Warren said he'd gotten several calls about the courts, from people interested in having it turned into a park.

Bob Horne of Boothbay Harbor spoke about how he used to coach girls tennis, and felt it was important not to use the new space for parking. He also asked the selectmen why there was a lock on the new tennis courts.

Board Chairman Bill Hamblen thanked people for their input and said that the vote today was only to demolish the current courts for safety reasons. He also was unaware of the lock on the new courts, and promised he would look into that. The next day he asked Dave Benner, the school facilities director, and Superintendent Eileen King about the lock. He was told the lock was temporary until the courts become operational and open in approximatly one weeks time. King also informed Hamblen that she will post weekly schedules of the school’s use of the courts so the public can plan on availability.

The board voted unanimously in favor of commencing the destruction of the old courts. Phase two will begin later this year, and the selectmen urged people to continue bringing ideas. Members of the public can send ideas to Hamblen at whamblen@alumni.bowdoin.edu.

The Boothbay Register also invites readers to vote on this topic in a public opinion poll on its website.