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Home My WebLink About8.1 Pickleball ITEM NO: 8.1 Page 1 of 3 STAFF REPORT PARKS & COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION DATE: September 19, 2016 TO: Honorable Chair and Commissioners FROM: Micki Cronin, Assistant Director of Parks and Community Services SUBJECT: Pickleball Prepared by Rich Jochner, Recreation Supervisor EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: The Parks & Community Services Commission will receive a report on Pickleball. FINANCIAL IMPACT: None. RECOMMENDATION: Receive the Report. DESCRIPTION: Pickleball is a paddle sport created for all ages and skill levels. The rules are simple and the game is easy for beginners to learn. However, it can also develop into a quick, fast-paced, competitive game for experienced players. Pickleball is exploding in popularity. The number of places to play has more than doubled since 2010. There are now over 4,000 locations on the USA Pickleball Association’s Places to Play map. The spread of the sport is attributed to its popularity within community centers, PE classes, YMCA facilities and retirement communities. The sport continues to grow worldwide as well as with many new international clubs forming and national governing bodies now established in Canada and India. Pickleball Basics • It combines many elements of tennis, badminton and ping-pong. • It can be played both indoors or outdoors on a badminton-sized court and a slightly modified tennis net. • It is played with a paddle and a plastic ball. Page 2 of 3 • USA Pickleball Association currently estimates there are now over 400,000 players actively playing Pickleball, and 267 locations in California. • Many kids and teenagers play it in physical education classes in middle and high schools. • Seniors enjoy the social aspects and the ability to stay active in retirement. • Tennis, racquetball and ping pong players love the competitive nature of the sport. Pickleball History Pickleball was created in 1965 by Joel Pritchard, congressman from Washington State and Bill Bell, a businessman. The sport grew in popularity and the first known Pickleball tournament was held in spring 1976 in Washington. In 1984 the USA Pickleball Association (USAPA) was organized to perpetuate the growth and advancement of the sport on a national level and the first rulebook was published in the same year. By 1990 Pickleball was being played in all 50 states and would later be played in Senior Olympic Games and the Huntsman World Senior Games. In 2016 the inaugural U.S. Open Pickleball Championships were held with the Men’s Doubles Championships matched televised nationwide on CBS Sports. Local Pickleball Facilities City Courts Days/Hours Cost Hayward 3 - Indoor Tues/Thurs, 10 AM – 1 PM $2 per session Livermore 3 - Indoor Tues/Thurs, 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM Wed, 6 – 8 PM $4 per session $40 for 20 sessions Pleasanton 6 - Indoor Sun, 8 – 11 AM $3.75 per session $22.50 for 6 sessions $56.25 for 15 sessions San Ramon None None None Walnut Creek 8 – Outdoor 6 - Indoor Daily at 9 AM Mon/Wed/Fri, 9 AM – 12 PM Thurs, 12 – 3 PM $2 donation $4 per session $4 per session Walnut Creek (Ultimate Fieldhouse) 9 - Indoor Weekdays, 9 AM – 12 PM $5 per session 3 courts - $35 per hour Premier Facility in the Area The City of Concord converted four tennis courts into 14 dedicated Pickleball courts. These courts are open from 8 AM – 10 PM and free to the public. The dedication is scheduled for September 17, 2016. Concord is hosting a qualifier tournament in November for the National Senior Games. Potential Pickleball Sites in Dublin Potential sites within City of Dublin and Dublin United School District properties could be: Page 3 of 3 Stager Community Gymnasium − Pros: Has existing badminton lines; portable net systems could be stored. − Cons: Not available during school hours; impacted not available due to heavy Junior Warriors scheduling. Other DUSD Sites − Pros: Has existing badminton lines at many sites. − Cons: Not available during school hours; portable net systems cannot be stored. Future Pickleball Options in Dublin Future options to accommodate Pickleball could be: Seeking Outdoor Courts / Future Construction − Existing outdoor tennis courts could be converted to Pickleball or future courts could be constructed at new parks. − Conversion of Indoor Space / Leasing. − Selection of a facility that is available for lease might be an option to accommodate a multitude of sports uses such as basketball, volleyball and Pickleball. Example: former Grocery Outlet site off Amador Valley Road is currently available for lease. Other warehouse type buildings might also be available. Private Vendor Entering Market − A private vendor might enter the market if the demand is great, for example, American Swim Academy, Bintang Badminton Academy, Calphin Aquatic Club, and Hit Lab Sports all have facilities located in Dublin. NOTICING REQUIREMENTS/PUBLIC OUTREACH: None. ATTACHMENTS: None.