Florida Pickleball Courts Controlled Access: A special meeting has been scheduled in The Villages, Florida, to talk about adding “controlled access” to certain community amenities, including pickleball courts. The meeting will take place at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, September 22, at the Savannah Center. The Amenity Authority Committee and the Project Wide Advisory Committee will meet together to explore new ways to keep outsiders from using resident-only facilities.
Residents Raise Concerns Over Outsiders
Over the past few years, more and more residents in The Villages have complained about people from outside the community using private amenities such as swimming pools and pickleball courts. Many say it’s becoming harder to enjoy these spaces because they are often crowded with non-residents.
This has pushed community leaders to take action. The Amenity Authority Committee and the Project Wide Advisory Committee, which usually work separately, are coming together for this rare joint workshop. The goal is to discuss how to improve security and control access to community areas.
Plans for New Gate Technology
Officials are also looking at new technology that could help manage access more smoothly. Some leaders have already tested devices that work like Sunpass, which drivers in Florida use to pass through toll booths without stopping.
These long-range devices could be used at gates, letting in approved residents automatically. Officials believe this system could also be used for amenities like pickleball courts and pools. Residents wouldn’t need to show ID or press buttons—just drive or walk through if they have the device.
Rare Joint Workshop for the Community
“Joint workshops are exceedingly rare, because only 2-3 have ever been held in The Villages’ history,” said Don Deakin, a member of the Amenity Authority Committee and Community Development District 4 Supervisor. Don Deakin is one of the longest-serving elected officials in the community and says this meeting shows how important the issue has become.
What This Means for Residents
This move could change the way people in The Villages use their community spaces. If approved, the controlled access system would help limit use of facilities like pickleball courts to residents only. It could also make using these spaces faster and more secure.
Residents can attend the meeting to hear the full discussion and learn more about possible changes. Officials have not yet announced when any new system would be put in place, but the meeting is an important first step.
News in Brief: Florida Pickleball Courts Controlled Access
The Villages officials will meet on September 22 to talk about adding controlled access to pickleball courts and pools. The joint workshop, a rare event, responds to resident concerns about outsiders using private amenities. New technology like Sunpass-style devices could help manage access in the future.