Basketball court is approved; site for tennis, pickleball courts is reviewed

by Sue Serdinak

March 21 village council meeting

Following approval by the planning commission of the location for a basketball court at Richfield Woods, Richfield Village Council adopted a resolution to contract with Site Technology to build it. The village bid the project in 2022 through the Ohio state program. The cost is not to exceed $93,437.

The regulation-size basketball court will be built north of the Johnson Barn in the park.

Council also approved the location where eight pickleball and two tennis courts would be built on village property, east of Town Hall. They passed a resolution to send the location to the planning commission for that group’s approval.

The service department will put stakes at the proposed locations of the courts, so council and the public can better understand where they will be built.

Safety forces

Police Chief Michael Swanson said the department is sending four officers to training for successful termination of a vehicle pursuit, including immobilization techniques, tire deflation, vehicle intercept, channeling and roadblocks. Swanson said that since Richfield has three interstate highways, this training is essential.

Fire Chief George Seifert said he has 26 applications to fill two full-time fire medic positions.

Locker rooms for female fire medics are under construction. There had only been one locker room in the past, when Richfield had only men as full-time fire medics.

Zoning

The planning commission approved an extension for Ohio Hardwood Furniture to get plans approved to construct two additions to their building on Broadview Road. The current building is 2,896 sq. ft. and the two additions would total 5,255 sq. ft.

Rise Against Hunger

Mayor Michael Wheeler gave an update on the Rise Against Hunger event that he has planned. On April 15, volunteers will package dried food for worldwide distribution. Wheeler said he has raised enough funds to purchase 120,000 meals, at 38 cents each. 

He credited Ramesh Shah of the Jain Temple for acquiring a $2,000 donation from Chinmaya Mission Cleveland to provide lunches for volunteers. Council approved the donation. 

Wheeler said about 325 people have volunteered to prepare the packages and he would like to have 400 people participating. To participate in the packaging assembly line, go to events.riseagainsthunger.org/Richfield2023.

Wheeler clarified that this is considered a village event and he is the chairperson. He said other village staff members have helped. He asked all of council to participate in the meal packaging if possible.  ∞