The tennis courts in Binghamton’s Recreation Park were refurbished in 2021, but issues with ponding water persisted after construction was finished. (Vaughn Golden/WSKG)
VESTAL, NY (WSKG) — Binghamton city officials say they plan to address water ponding on the new Recreation Park tennis courts later this year.
Speaking at a City Council work session Monday, Mayor Jared Kraham said the issue was related to the asphalt top coat on the courts, not a drainage issue as was previously expected.
“It was determined that there is no issue with the drainage itself. What was installed is meeting our spec and actually we did some additional drainage,” Kraham said. “There was an issue with the topcoat that was put on, the actual asphalt. So, our contractor will be changing that asphalt out in the springtime at no cost to the city and we’ll need additional inspection and construction management while that’s ongoing.”
The additional inspection and construction management work will cost the city an additional $12,000, according to a request for legislation presented to City Council this week.
The city expects work to begin on the asphalt in April or May and continue for a couple months.
Kraham said the courts will be open in time for the Binghamton Tennis Challenger event, which traditional brings professional tennis players to the city.
“That tournament will be back for this year,” Kraham told the Council.
The Recreation Park tennis courts were refurbished last year and were named in memory of Harper Stantz, a 16-year-old who was hit and killed by a car as she walked home from the courts.