HALIFAX, MA — The Town of Halifax officially cut the ribbon today on its highly anticipated public pickleball courts, celebrating an innovative public-private partnership with Thorndike Development that delivers extensive recreational and economic benefits to the entire community.
The state of the art facility is located off Monponsett Street adjacent to the new Featherwinds age-restricted residential condominium community. Under the terms of the town’s master development agreement, Thorndike donated the land and fully constructed the courts, handing a premier recreational asset over to the town at no cost to local taxpayers.
The formal grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony brought together municipal leadership and development executives. In attendance from the Town of Halifax were Select Board Clerk Jonathan Selig and Town Administrator Steve Solbo. Representing Thorndike were Dave Eastridge, Michael Devin, and Erik Groezinger.
“This is a great day for the Town of Halifax and a fantastic example of what can happen when local government and private developers collaborate effectively. We’re thrilled to add this beautiful facility to our town at no added cost to the taxpayer. And the benefits of this partnership go far beyond pickleball. The ongoing revenue generated from home closings are helping to fund the town’s new proposed senior center – a project Halifax has waited generations to become a reality. Not to mention, the new homes mean new tax revenue at a time when every dollar counts for communities all across the state. It’s been a win-win for the residents of Halifax.“ – Jonathan Selig, Halifax Select Board
The structural framework of the partnership creates an ongoing financial engine for the municipal treasury. Beyond gifting the completed courts, Thorndike provides a dedicated mitigation payment to the Town of Halifax upon the closing of every individual home sale at Featherwinds. These incoming funds directly offset the town’s municipal costs to design and construct its upcoming senior center.
“We are incredibly proud to partner with the Town of Halifax to open these beautiful new courts today,” said Dave Eastridge, Partner, Thorndike Development. “This project showcases how public-private partnerships can creatively solve local infrastructure and recreational needs. The development of Featherwinds facilitates the creation of amenities for this rapidly growing community and all of Halifax. Pickleball is an accessible sport that is currently unmatched at bringing people together. We look forward to seeing residents enjoy this space.”
The public courts are fully complete and officially open for public play from dawn to dusk effective immediately. Prospective homebuyers interested in the active adult community can tour the site and view available homes by visiting the Featherwinds sales center or online at https://thorndikedevelopment.com/community/featherwinds.