Pickleball Courts in Sun City West: Sun City West residents are discussing how to balance pickleball and tennis court usage in the community. While some believe that more pickleball courts are needed, others argue that tennis and pickleball should work together to use the available space efficiently. This discussion comes after years of investment in tennis courts that are not fully utilized.
Growing Demand for Pickleball Courts
Residents have pointed out that 18 tennis courts built years ago at Sun City West cost millions of dollars but are rarely used. Some tennis advocates have voiced concerns about the noise created by pickleball games, particularly at the RH Johnson Recreation Center. Despite this, others argue that pickleball should be given more space, as it has grown significantly in popularity.
Kelly Doree and others believe that Sun City West should explore solutions that allow both sports to coexist. Ideas include creating reciprocal play arrangements or sharing courts, which could accommodate both groups without taking up more parking or space for new courts.
Kuentz Recreation Center: A Possible Solution
A potential solution for more pickleball courts could be the Kuentz Recreation Center, which has enough space to add 12 new pickleball courts.
However, the area has been neglected and is not currently being used to its full potential. Some residents feel that tennis no longer needs this space, while others suggest the community could benefit from repurposing it for pickleball.
Though there are concerns about parking at Kuentz, ideas have been raised to alleviate this, such as using golf carts or encouraging ride-sharing services to help with transportation to the courts.
Repurposing RH Johnson Courts
Some residents have also suggested that RH Johnson’s courts could be repurposed to accommodate both sports. One idea is to designate alternate days for tennis and pickleball or implement reciprocal play, which would allow both sports to share the space.
This would be a cost-effective solution and could help avoid the need for new courts, which would take up valuable parking space.
Reevaluating Court Usage
In addition, long-time members of the Sun City West community have noted that the platform tennis courts at RH Johnson are rarely used and could be repurposed for pickleball. Some believe it’s time to reevaluate the actual usage of the courts and prioritize those that are more frequently used, like the pickleball courts.
With limited space and growing demand for pickleball, members of Sun City West are pushing for a reassessment of how the courts are used. The community is hopeful that better solutions can be found to serve the needs of tennis and pickleball players.
Moving Forward with Community Collaboration
Many residents are confident that GM Erno and the SCW staff can find a solution that benefits everyone. They believe that working together is key to making Sun City West an even better place for tennis and pickleball players. There is also a willingness among community members to share costs and resources to make the improvements possible for the good of everyone.
News in Brief: Pickleball Courts in Sun City West
Sun City West residents are pushing for more pickleball courts due to growing demand. Discussions focus on balancing tennis and pickleball needs. Ideas like reciprocal play and repurposing RH Johnson courts are being considered as solutions to avoid overcrowding and preserve space.
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