Within the city complex are various departments. Included are Police Dept, Fire Dept., Public Works Dept, Community Center, Library, Ball Park, Skateboard Center, and Senior Center. They all serve the public’s needs, but not all are publicly accessible. By this, I mean the Fire Dept, Police Dept, Public Works, Ball Park, and Senior Center have restricted areas. I call them Service Departments because they serve the needs of our Niceville voters, but restrict public use. For example, the fire dept has a wonderful gym on the second floor, but this is not available to Niceville taxpayers.
On the other hand, the Library is a public building and is a public entity. Its doors are open to everyone. All are welcome to come through the door, look through the shelves, and, with a library card, check out any book.
The Niceville Senior Center is not just a building; it is exclusively confined for seniors and their safety and well-being. There is a fence around the perimeter of the center defining its safety area.
Originally, Pickleball courts were added because other senior centers had proved its popularity. At that time, there were no other Pickleball courts in Niceville. Later, pressure was made to open the two front-side courts to the public after operating hours. To ensure the safety of seniors and due to the sport’s popularity, three courts were added within the fenced, protected area of the Senior Center. Now that area is in jeopardy of becoming public, risking the safety of our Niceville seniors.
Niceville Senior Center is not a public center; it is a service center for our community.
Like the Fire Dept and the other service departments, it has restricted areas not open to all Niceville taxpayers no matter the day or time of day.
Please set to rest the assumption that the Senior Center Pickleball courts within the confines of the fenced area are public entities and available to all citizens.
Judy Boudreaux is a longtime resident and past member of the Niceville City Council. Opinions expressed are not those of Mid Bay News.
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