The Palm Springs City Council has approved a plan to turn three unused tennis courts into 12 pickleball courts at College of the Desert’s temporary campus. This decision, made Wednesday evening, will offer a short-term solution for players while construction takes place at Demuth Park.
Temporary Courts Approved
The city plans to sublease space from the Desert Community College District at 1452 East Baristo Road. These courts will be used while the existing pickleball area at Demuth Park is being expanded. The College of the Desert board still needs to approve the plan.
If approved, the new temporary courts could open by this summer. They will help pickleball players stay active while the Demuth Park site is under construction.
Demuth Park Project Details
Renovation at Demuth Park is set to begin this summer. The project will take about eight months to finish. Once complete, the park will have 24 courts instead of the current 12.
To keep players from losing access to the sport, the city is moving forward with the college site as a temporary fix.
Cost and Construction
The city will pay $1,637 per month in rent through November 1. After that, the lease will rise to $1,655 each month.
The conversion project will cost about $75,000. Palm Springs City Manager Scott Stiles quipped, “The expenses will be covered by the approved operating budget for the Parks and Recreation Department.”
Workers will make small repairs to fences, clean up the area, paint new court lines, and create a path for access. Each of the three tennis courts will be turned into four pickleball courts.
Limitations and Use Rules
The temporary courts will only be open during daylight hours. There will be no public restrooms at the site, and parking will only be available on nearby streets. Also, the courts will be closed when the college is holding exams or special events.
Long-term Impact
These temporary courts will keep the local pickleball community active during construction at Demuth Park. When the permanent courts are finished, the city will have double the space for pickleball, supporting the sport’s growing popularity.
Once approved by the college board, this move will help meet demand for play space and reduce crowding at existing courts.
News in Brief: Pickleball Courts at College of the Desert
Palm Springs City Council approved a plan to create 12 temporary pickleball courts at the College of the Desert’s East Baristo Road campus. This move will support players during renovations at Demuth Park, set to double court capacity. The temporary site could open this summer pending final approval.
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