Metal net at Indus Road court after pickleball noise complaint -- but it blocks more than you think
Damned if you do, damned if you don't.
A metal net has been set up at a hard court near Block 77 Indus Road following complaints about pickleball noise, including one from Stomper Phua on Oct 24.
However, this has sparked yet another wave of outrage involving safety concerns, a loss of kampung spirit and possible deterrence of a healthy lifestyle.
Several readers shared photos of the net with Stomp and expressed their disapproval over what they felt was an "extreme" move by Jalan Besar Town Council (JBTC).
They noted that the metal net, which sits in the middle of the court, prevents not just pickleball, but other games such as sepak takraw too.
Stomper Chin, a pickleball player, said he was saddened and disappointed by the "drastic" measure.
"I host games there regularly a few times a week, utilising only one court each time and keeping the group small by limiting it to five players," he explained.
"Back in May, when news of town councils banning or restricting hours for pickleball played on badminton courts started circulating, I wrote to JBTC on May 29 to suggest restricting hours instead of banning the sport.
"I gave my phone number in the hopes they would consult me before taking any action. I received a reply on June 2 saying that they 'will definitely get in touch with (me) again for further consultations when the time comes for it'.
"Then around July, posters were put up on the lamp posts recommending players to play pickleball at Delta Sports Complex. In October, an additional large banner was put up recommending two more nearby facilities - Kings Pickleball and Kim Seng CC."
According to Chin, all the suggested alternative locations are always fully booked days ahead. In particular, it is "infamously difficult" to get a slot at Delta Sports Complex.
He added: "With no viable alternatives, the court was a welcome oasis in the desert, as players could enjoy themselves under the shade provided by the trees.
"But sensing the matter has escalated, I wrote to JBTC again on Nov 17 urging them to take a balanced approach by implementing a time restriction and requesting consultation (again)."
Chin, who shared copies of his emails with Stomp, did not get a reply from the town council. Two days later, the metal net appeared.
"I expected a time restriction to be implemented and was waiting to be contacted for feedback," he told Stomp. "Never did I expect such an extreme and unprecedented action without notice, despite JBTC agreeing to consult me 'when the time comes'. I have not heard of other town councils doing this."
Chin believes the net is safety hazard for everyone using the court, including both sports players and pedestrians: "Might I add that residents often walk or cycle through here? Now they will have to walk around the court without a proper path."
He also said Stomper Phua's complaint – in which she suggested banning pickleball in the estate – is "highly exaggerated".
Sharing how deeply affected he is by the clampdown, Chin told Stomp: "Many of the players who have joined my games came as strangers and left as friends. Isn't sport about building community spirit?
"I do appreciate that some may find pickleball noise intolerable. However, I sincerely believe they are the minority as I had residents tell me that our presence livens up the usually quiet surroundings, they enjoy watching us and do not feel disturbed, and the traffic noise is even louder. Some have even enquired about the sport and want to try it out themselves."
According to a Shin Min Daily News report on Oct 28, most residents found noise levels from the court acceptable.
Chin added: "The installation of the metal net without notice and without consultation is nothing short of draconian. I am asking fellow pickleball players all over Singapore to express their opinions. This action creates a precedent and I worry that other town councils may follow suit."
Meanwhile, Stomper Lee, who is in a more neutral position, also frowned upon the net: "Actually, this doesn't affect me personally, but there are others using this court to play sepak takraw. I don't think this is the right way to stop pickleball."
Lee shared a video of the net, in which he can be heard saying: "Ah, this is what happens when you all complain about the pickleball ah.
"They do wire fence ah. Then people play sepak takraw also cannot play already lor. Huh? Wah, this one. Sepak takraw how to play?
"Really you know. Singaporeans ah, love to complain ah."
The Stompers are not alone in their sentiments. Facebook and TikTok posts about the net have generated heated debate online.
One Facebook user commented: "Where is the kampong spirit we grew up with? Last time, we just brought a ball and everyone came together, no barriers, no restrictions. This iron net is more than a piece of metal, it's the first line of division of our community cohesiveness. Sports spaces should bring us together, not separate us by choosing winners and losers among the games we can play."
Another said: "It is very disappointing that JBTC is encouraging complaints culture and undermining the kampong spirit that we have been promoting through pickleball. As Chin mentioned, when we were there, we consistently received more positive feedback than negative. The courts are not occupied most of the time from morning to afternoon, even on weekends."
Several also slammed the waste of funds and resources as "it goes against promotion of healthy lifestyle".
While some TikTokers applauded the move, one wrote: "Hhhaaiisss... Sg, this cannot that cannot. Feels like an open prison."
Another added: "They creating the gate that freed Mas Selamat isit. What is this?"
What's worth noting is that netizens on both platforms have raised safety concerns.
"The metal net is a sport hazard as running players may bang against the metal net to save a drop shot at net or racket smash against metal net," one Facebook user said. "Town council think they very clever but wait till someone gets injured."
A TikToker asked: "So if people got injured with this kind of netting how?"
Stomper Gabriel summed up his thoughts by saying: "Pickleball haters go the extra mile to destroy pickleball lovers' dream of playing the sport in public by putting a permanent metal net. When will this hatred come to an end?"
Stomp has contacted JBTC for more info.
