Classroom bites
Playoffs set
Wrapup of student honors, activities
Wolves postseason matchups gear up
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South Burlington’s Community Newspaper Since 1977
the JUNE 6, 2024
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Bluebird kind of day
VOLUME 48, NO. 23
City receives federal funds for wastewater upgrades HABIB SABET STAFF WRITER
The city of South Burlington has received $700,000 in federal funding to upgrade the Bartlett Bay Wastewater Treatment Facility. The grant, which was allocated to the city in Congress’ 2024 Minibus Appropriations Bill, is earmarked for energy efficiency improvements that the city expects to incorporate into its broader plan to renovate the facility in the coming years, according to city officials.
“I’m thrilled to have secured nearly $11 million to invest in communities across Vermont, including over $700,000 to support to modernize the wastewater systems in South Burlington,” said U.S. Rep. Becca Balint, who visited the Bartlett Bay facility last week and presented the grant money to city officials. “Direct federal investment like this project means keeping wastewater rates low, reducing its carbon footprint, and ultimately supporting See WASTEWATER FACILITY on page 13
Williston father, son bring pickleball to South Burlington HABIB SABET STAFF WRITER
Louise Hammond of South Burlington recently captured this shot of a young bluebird out for a flying lesson.
In the summer of 2020, at the height of the pandemic lockdowns, the Schaaf family began playing pickleball on the public courts in Williston. The sport — a kind of miniature version of tennis played with hard paddles and a whiffle ball — was rapidly gaining popularity across the country, and the Schaafs wanted to see what all the fuss was about. “We started playing as something to do during Covid because we were staying together as a family during the lockdown,” Ric Schaaf said. “It was just something fun to do outside.” Now, four years later, the Schaafs have
opened their own pickleball courts, located in a renovated warehouse in South Burlington just off Community Drive. Catamount Pickleball has seven indoor courts and offers a variety of programming, including private lessons, corporate team-building events and social mixers. “Our goal and intention in opening this place was to have a space for the pickleball community to come together and gather and be able to play year ‘round indoors,” Ric said. The family’s decision to start the business, Ric said, was largely driven by his oldest son Justin’s abiding love for the See PICKLEBALL on page 12
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