Clovis Pickleball Court Project: A new public pickleball court project is coming to Clovis, California, thanks to The Well Community Church. In response to the sport’s growing popularity, the church received city approval to build six outdoor courts at its campus on 325 Nees Avenue. Construction is planned to begin soon, with an estimated cost of $500,000.
Meeting a Growing Demand
Pickleball has seen a major rise across the United States, with 19.8 million players in 2024, according to the Sports and Fitness Industry Association. In Clovis, many residents have shown strong interest in the game, but the city has no dedicated outdoor pickleball courts.
Seeing this need, The Well Community Church changed its original plan to build basketball courts and decided to focus on pickleball instead.
“We just thought pickleball has such a buzz right now that we might make a pivot and build pickleball courts,”
said Jeremy Vanderlinden, executive pastor of The Well Community Church.
“I don’t think there’s too much on the east side of town here in regards to pickleball, it’s a little bit more in Fresno and on the west side of town, so we thought we’d offer the community something a little bit closer.”
What the Church Will Build
The new recreational area will include six full-size courts with lighting, fencing, bench seating, and surrounding walkways. These courts will be next to four sand volleyball courts and near three acres of green open space.
Jeremy Vanderlinden confirmed that the entire project will cost around $500,000 and shared that many community members have already shown interest in supporting the courts financially.
“We want to offer that to the community, it’s not just going to be for people in our church, it’s going to be for the community as a whole,” (Jeremy Vanderlinden).
Current Local Options
Right now, the only city-run pickleball options in Clovis are temporary indoor courts inside the Clovis Community Center. These courts are available during the summer and can hold up to 16 players per two-hour session. The city charges $5 per player.
City spokesperson Taylor Danielson said,
“A total of 55 players took part in the June sessions.” The city also runs one-hour classes for kids aged 8 to 12, which include lessons and time to play. These sessions also cost $5.
Building Excitement in the Region
Interest in pickleball is growing in the area beyond Clovis. Fresno State University created a pickleball club in December 2023 and has taken part in fundraisers and local tournaments. One of the biggest events, the California Pickleball Classic hosted by Sierra Sport and Racquet Club, drew over 250 players in 2024.
Still, many Clovis residents have asked for more pickleball spaces during public meetings. The new courts planned by The Well Community Church are a direct response to this need.
Looking Ahead
The project is seen as a big step forward for recreational options in Clovis. These courts will give local players a place to enjoy the sport close to home without needing to travel to Fresno or beyond.
As pickleball continues to grow in popularity, city and community leaders may consider additional court development. The Well Community Church’s courts could inspire more projects like it throughout the region.
News in Brief: Clovis Pickleball Court Project
The Well Community Church in Clovis is building six pickleball courts to serve the growing demand for the sport. With city approval and a $500,000 budget, the courts will offer new outdoor play space to local residents. The city currently lacks outdoor courts despite high interest in pickleball.
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