Pickleball Center In Steamboat Springs: The pickleball center at the Steamboat Tennis and Pickleball Complex is gearing up for a soft opening at the end of this month. Construction on the steel building began last September, and the finishing touches were completed on Friday, July 19, 2024. This new facility will soon position the Steamboat Tennis and Pickleball Complex as the largest of its kind in the Rocky Mountains and the second largest in Colorado.
A Comprehensive Complex
The complex now boasts 12 tennis courts — six indoor and six outdoor — and 20 pickleball courts. This includes 12 indoor pickleball courts housed within the brand-new pickleball facility for year-round play and eight outdoor courts available during the warmer months. The 35,000-square-foot pickleball facility, located on the west side of the complex, will feature new lighting, playback cameras, and 12 cushioned indoor gel-coated courts. It also offers amenities such as a pro shop, community room, and a mezzanine level for tournament viewing and entertainment.
“To witness the completion of the Pickleball Center at the Steamboat Tennis and Pickleball Complex is an honor of the highest caliber,” said Jasyon Harris, the pickleball director. “Not only will this facility provide year-round recreation for local and visiting pickleball and tennis enthusiasts, but the amount of support from the community to have built this facility is truly remarkable.”
A Community Effort
Owned by the city and operated by the nonprofit Court Sports 4 Life, discussions for this expansion project began at a Parks and Recreation Commission meeting in April 2019. The project was divided into two phases. Phase one started in June 2022 with a $6 million investment that funded the construction of four new outdoor tennis courts and eight pickleball courts, along with other outdoor upgrades.
Phase two commenced last September, marking the start of construction for the steel building that now covers the new pickleball courts from the first phase. Alongside the new pickleball center, the complex has expanded its parking lot by 28 spaces to accommodate increased popularity. The entire expansion project cost approximately $12.5 million, with $7.6 million raised privately and the remaining $5 million secured through a loan.
Local builders Travis Holmquist and Chad Hare, partners at HLCC Construction Company, oversaw the construction, while Vertical Arts, a design-build firm, managed the design.
Cutting-Edge Features
Jeff Temple, a member of the Court Sports 4 Life board and chair of the building committee, explained the design and construction of the pickleball center. He emphasized that their primary goal was to prioritize the player experience. Temple highlighted their collaboration with expert vendors specializing in court design, both locally and nationally, to ensure the facility was built to the highest standards.
“We designed and built the pickleball center with the goal of prioritizing the player experience. We brought in expert vendors specializing in court design, both locally and from all over the country, to make this facility the best it could be.” -(Jeff Temple)
Kevin Leach of Altitude Athletic Surfaces served as the court designer, while Bright Court, a lighting design specialist, installed 180-degree non-glare lighting to illuminate the center comprehensively. Each court is equipped with high-quality cameras, enabling athletes and coaches to analyze performance through video, watch instant replays, or live stream tournaments.
The facility has already garnered national attention and is considered a Premier Pickleball Facility. The United Pickleball Association will host the Colorado UPA State Championship Series at the new center from Sept. 13-15, featuring top amateur players from across the state competing to advance to the national finals.
Looking Ahead
The complex will host its first fundraising event, the Center Court Smash, on Aug. 6 at Flying Diamond Ranch. This event will celebrate the completion of the expansion project and launch the new Courting Love campaign, aimed at refreshing and renovating the tennis center and its bubble.
As Steamboat Springs prepares to welcome this state-of-the-art facility, the community eagerly anticipates the opportunities and growth it will bring to the local sports scene.
News in Brief: Pickleball Center In Steamboat Springs
The Steamboat Tennis and Pickleball Complex will soon open its new pickleball center, positioning it as the largest facility of its kind in the Rocky Mountains. The 35,000-square-foot center includes 12 indoor and eight outdoor courts, with advanced features like cushioned gel-coated courts and 180-degree non-glare lighting. The $12.5 million project, supported by community funding and a loan, began in 2019 and was completed in July 2024. The United Pickleball Association will host the Colorado UPA State Championship Series in September, drawing top players from across the state.
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