The Bobby Riggs Racket and Paddle Club in Encinitas, California, is at risk of closing after developers, residents, and local businesses raised concerns about noise. Despite reducing the number of pickleball courts from 22 to seven, the club still faces challenges from nearby groups.
View this post on Instagram
A Community Hub in Danger
Owned by the Dawson family, the Bobby Riggs facility became a popular space for pickleball. Steve and Jennifer Dawson, both senior PPA pro players, and their son, Callan Dawson, a PPA pro, transformed a former tennis facility into a thriving pickleball hub. However, the club now faces pressure from local residents due to complaints about the noise from pickleball games.
On January 16, Steve Dawson shared an email informing members that only seven of the original courts would be available until issues with the city are resolved.
“It is with a sad heart that I must inform my Bobby Riggs Community… the city is focusing its pressures on our positive pickleball community,” -(Dawson).
Solutions in the Works
Despite the challenges, Dawson remains hopeful and proactive. On January 17, he shared that he had a strategy in place to reduce noise.
“I can cover courts and make them indoor, I can mandate quiet paddles… all roadblocks create avenues for continued success,” -(Dawson).
He plans to use quiet paddles and make other adjustments to maintain the club’s operations.
Community Support
The pickleball community in California is rallying behind the facility. With a city council meeting set for Wednesday, many players are prepared to show their support.
Posts flooding the Pickleball Facebook Page and the creation of a Save Bobby Riggs Grassroots Committee are evidence of the strong backing from the community.
Proposed Solutions to Address Noise
To help mitigate noise issues, the Dawsons have shared several ideas:
- Mandating quiet paddles and gear
- Establishing set hours for play
- Installing sound barriers around the courts
- Transforming outdoor courts to indoor courts
The technology exists to address the noise concerns, and the hope is that the facility will not face the same fate as the Fairfax County Park, which was forced to close due to similar issues.
News in Brief: Bobby Riggs Racket and Paddle Club
The Bobby Riggs Racket and Paddle Club faces closure over noise complaints, despite reducing its courts and implementing possible solutions like quiet paddles. The pickleball community has rallied to support the facility, with hopes to resolve the issue before it’s too late.
ALSO READ: Pickleball Noise Sparks Controversy in Nantucket, Considers Ban Due to Noise Complaints
