Governor’s Mansion Pickleball Court Renovation: New Mexicans will soon have the chance to play tennis or pickleball at the governor’s mansion in Santa Fe after a major court renovation. Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham raised private funds to cover the nearly $280,000 project, which began in mid-July and was completed in early August.
The updated court can now be used for both tennis and pickleball. A new online reservation system will be launched soon, allowing residents to book court time and join activities, according to Jodi McGinnis Porter, spokesperson for Governor Lujan Grisham.
A Grand Opening for the Community
Governor Lujan Grisham held a grand opening on Saturday, which drew a large crowd, including members of the University of New Mexico’s tennis team. Wearing a pink tennis skirt and sunglasses, she joined the action on court.
“It’s the people’s house, and we needed to make the courts usable,” she said. “They were in terrible condition before — nobody could use them.”
From Cracked Surface to Multi-Use Court
Anna Silva, acting secretary of the General Services Department, said the court had been “severely cracked” and unused for years. “They were in very, very poor condition,” she explained.
Silva said the court was restriped to allow one tennis court or two pickleball courts. “Since we were redoing the tennis court, we wanted to get the functionality out of the court itself,” she added, calling the final product “absolutely beautiful.”
A Pattern of Restoration
Governor Lujan Grisham noted this renovation is part of broader restoration work at the mansion since her election in 2018.
“I have restored or replaced every single thing on this property since I’ve been here,” she said. “It was in total disrepair. The watering systems didn’t work, the fountains didn’t work, nothing was planted. The roof leaked, the heating and cooling didn’t work, the electrical system didn’t work, the security cameras didn’t work — nothing had been properly maintained.”
She emphasized that the mansion is both the “people’s house” and a museum. “We have a responsibility to keep it functioning, so it doesn’t fall into further disrepair,” she said.
Private Funding for Public Access
Governor Lujan Grisham explained that using private donations allowed the project to be completed quickly and in full.
“Private money lets us get it done quickly, get it renovated, and then create programming for families,” she said.
She added that donors wanted the courts to be accessible: “It was less about the capital improvement and more about accessibility. ‘Can kids play? Can seniors play? Can families play? Will you host tournaments or lessons?’ The answer is yes to all of those things.”
Looking Ahead
The renovated court will soon welcome players of all ages and skill levels, offering a new recreational space at the governor’s mansion. With both tennis and pickleball options, the site could host tournaments, lessons, and family events, reinforcing its role as a community resource.
News in Brief: Governor’s Mansion Pickleball Court Renovation
Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham renovated the dilapidated tennis court at the governor’s mansion in Santa Fe for tennis and pickleball. The $280,000 project, funded with private donations, includes an upcoming online reservation system. The courts will host public play, lessons, and tournaments for all ages.
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