FAQs
- Adequate space for complex and amenities without displacing current uses
- Neighborhood setback for noise reduction
- Adequate parking capacity
- Existing restroom proximity
- Location outside of floodway
- Adequate space for detention infrastructure
- Ideal court orientation
- Level of service location
- Separation from tennis
- Minimal impact to infrastructure
- Access to public transportation
- Trail connectivity
- Conversion of (1) City Park tennis court to (4) pickleball courts: Cost = $16,580
- (9) indoor courts added to Northside Aztlan Community Center
- (4) designated pickleball courts added to Twin Silo Community Park
- Pickleball Courts at Spring Canyon Community Park Budget Offer: $300,000 (Unfunded)
- 11/08/2021 - Meeting with Fort Collins Pickleball Club
- The Fort Collins Pickleball Club is willing to fund Park Planning and Development planning time and civil engineering.
- Continued funding for programs at Fort Collins Senior Center and Northside Aztlan Community Center including indoor pickleball
- City Park Train and Tennis & Pickleball Court Budget Offer: $5,100,000 (Unfunded)
- Continued funding for programs at Fort Collins Senior Center and Northside Aztlan Community Center including indoor pickleball
- 12/5/2023 - Meeting with Fort Collins Pickleball Club
- 12-court outdoor pickleball complex feasibility project funded through City Give
- (8) dedicated outdoor pickleball courts
- (44) striped for pickleball on outdoor multi-use courts
- (25) on tennis
- (19) on other
- Up to (12) indoor pickleball courts
- (32) lighted & (14) unlighted
- (34) courts used by Poudre School District (PSD) regularly
- Additional (4) shared courts on PSD property
- All PSD courts are available to the public for a $20 annual fee (limited access)
What is the purpose of this project?
The purpose of this project is to determine the feasibility of a 12-court outdoor pickleball complex in an existing community park. Feedback gathered from the community will help gauge interest and inform community site preference.
What is an outdoor pickleball complex?
For this project, an outdoor pickleball complex is a specialized recreational facility equipped with 12- designated pickleball courts. Typically featuring a hard surface like asphalt or concrete, these courts are marked with pickleball lines and equipped with nets for gameplay. The complex often includes amenities such as seating areas, shade structures, and lighting for evening play.
What criteria guided the City in selecting the two potential site locations?
The following criteria were developed to evaluate all seven existing community parks:
How has the City of Fort Collins addressed the need for pickleball? (Timeline)
2016
2018
2019/2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
What is the required space for a pickleball complex?
The 12-court outdoor pickleball complex will cover approximately .75 acres, which is about the size of three tennis courts.
Additional space considerations for amenities include ADA accessibility and connectivity, bleachers/benches, court alleys, shade shelters, water stations, lighting, and restrooms.
How many pickleball courts does the City currently have?
City of Fort Collins existing pickleball courts:
Can the City convert tennis courts to a pickleball complex?
A goal of this project is not to displace other recreational uses. Although pickleball is a fast-growing sport, tennis maintains its popularity, and courts are in high demand amongst community members including Poudre School District players. Converting tennis courts to pickleball courts can cause user conflict due to striping and noise, therefore designated pickleball courts are preferred. Below is an overview of tennis courts in the City of Fort Collins.
(46) Total City tennis courts
(30) Poudre School District tennis courts
Additionally, pickleball cannot be striped on USTA-designated courts. USTA designation is (5) or more courts together.
Why is this project focused on potentially establishing a pickleball complex exclusively within a community park?
Community parks provide accessibility, offering a central location for residents of all ages and abilities to recreate. These parks often boast expansive areas, maximizing the potential for larger recreational spaces, and amenities like shelters and ample parking. Additionally, community parks often have the established necessary infrastructure, making them prime locations to support and house a pickleball complex efficiently.
Can the City add an outdoor pickleball complex to a future community park?
Two new community parks are scheduled for planning. As these community parks are designed, up to (8) outdoor pickleball courts will most likely be considered at each location.
If pickleball is located at both future community parks, (2) out of (3) pickleball service gaps identified by the 2021 ReCreate: Parks & Recreation Master Plan will be addressed.
How will noise be addressed?
Current noise abatement practice considerations include noise barriers (sound wall or mass-loaded vinyl fence cover) and quieter pickleball equipment (foam balls, quieter paddles, etc.).
Site-specific considerations include proximity to multi-story residential structures (above noise barriers) and site topography.
How can an outdoor pickleball complex be funded?
Funding for an outdoor pickleball complex would go through the same process used for any park or recreation project, which includes Council approval and appropriation, based on project costs.
Development costs are site-specific and depend on the location and year of construction. The current estimated 2025 construction costs are between $3.32-$3.75 million. Once the public outreach and site assessments are completed, staff will be able to present a more detailed cost of building an outdoor pickleball complex.