TEMECULA, CA — Southwest Riverside County pickleball players got big news this week.
On Tuesday, Temecula City Council gave unanimous approval to begin soliciting construction bids for a 17-court pickleball complex at Ronald Reagan Sports Park, 30875 Rancho Vista Road.
Once built, the complex will feature 16 standard pickleball courts and one championship/ADA court. Amenities will include a shade structure, spectator area, outdoor furniture, portable restrooms and a hand-washing station. Courts will have nighttime lights.
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The facility will be ADA-accessible and comply with current ADA standards.
A 10-foot-tall chain-link fence and windscreen will surround the complex. Courts will be separated by 3.5-foot-tall chain-link fencing.
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A 119-spot gravel parking lot with lights will also be built.
Mayor James “Stew” Stewart said the complex is believed to be the first of its kind in the region and is expected to bring pickleball tournaments to the city.
Councilmember Zak Schwank praised the project, saying it involved “a lot of feedback from pickleball people.”
The complex will replace a turf soccer field at Ronald Reagan Sports Park called “The Pit.” Named for its lower elevation, The Pit’s location is expected to help mitigate noise from pickleball play.
Pickleball is a racket sport involving a paddle and a hollow, hard-plastic ball. Because the ball is non-rubber, pickleball play can be noisy for nearby neighbors.
Advertisements will be sent out to solicit construction bids for the project. Documents are available for review in the city’s Director of Public Works office.
Once the city reviews bids and selects a contractor, construction work is expected to take four months to complete. Total construction cost for the project is estimated at $2.45 million, according to the city.
Pickleball is a fast-growing sport that gained considerable participation during the COVID pandemic. The game is played on a small court that measures 20 x 44 feet. Like tennis, there is a net through the middle. Courts are striped like tennis courts, with right and left service sides.
The game is enjoyed by all ages and is simple to learn. It is considered less physically demanding than other racket sports, like tennis or racquetball.
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According to USA Pickleball — the sport’s governing body — pickleball was invented in 1965 on Bainbridge Island in Washington. Three dads — Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum, whose kids were bored with summertime activities — are credited with creating the game.
The sport is popular in the United States and Canada and is growing internationally.
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