Boulder Tennis Community Faces Court Shortage: Boulder’s growing enthusiasm for tennis and pickleball is colliding with a severe shortage of court space. With significant changes on the horizon, the city is bracing for the loss of 27 courts, increasing tensions between the two sports.
The Court Shortage
By early 2025, Boulder will face a dramatic reduction in court availability. Fifteen tennis courts at the Rocky Mountain Tennis Center were demolished this spring to make way for student housing. Additionally, twelve courts at CU South are slated for removal as part of a flood mitigation project. The diminishing number of courts has intensified frustrations among tennis players, who argue that the city’s decisions have left them without adequate facilities.
To address the shortage, Boulder Parks and Recreation plans to build up to nineteen new courts by 2025—three for tennis and sixteen for pickleball. This marks a significant shift in priorities, as the city has opted to focus on pickleball in the short term. The new developments will introduce Boulder’s first dedicated pickleball courts, which the local pickleball community welcomes as a major win. However, tennis players are skeptical, believing these additions will barely offset their losses.
Frustration in the Tennis Community
Michael Xu, president of the Boulder Tennis Association, voices strong concerns over the future of tennis in the city. “Tennis is endangered. We’ve made it a game of exclusivity,” he asserts. Xu describes how the sport has become increasingly inaccessible, with private clubs like Meadows Tennis Club and Boulder Country Club imposing long waitlists and steep membership fees.
“Tennis is no longer a sport of merit in Boulder. You either have the money and the access, or you don’t and you don’t get to play.” – (Michael Xu)
The difficulties have led some tennis enthusiasts, including Xu himself, to consider relocating. “This tennis community is going to disintegrate.” Xu warns. He notes that friends are moving to other cities in search of better facilities, further eroding Boulder’s tennis base.
“We wouldn’t have been looking [to move] if it wasn’t for this issue. A lot of people are considering moving. I have friends who are moving down to Denver. Somebody else is moving to Atlanta, other people said California or Florida.” – (Michael Xu)
In response, some tennis players have launched a Change.org petition and a GoFundMe campaign to raise awareness and funds for a full-page newspaper ad. The campaign, spearheaded by Alia Ghandour, criticizes the city for abandoning its tennis community. As of late July, the GoFundMe had raised just under $500.
“Boulder has abandoned its tennis community.” – (campaign)
City Response and Future Plans
City spokesperson Jonathan Thornton acknowledges the impact of court closures but emphasizes that Boulder Parks and Recreation is addressing the issue. The department’s Tennis and Pickleball Court System Plan, presented to the advisory board on July 22, includes the construction of new courts and maintenance of existing ones.
Thornton highlights the department’s commitment: “We understand how there are courts closing…and their impact to the racket sport community. This informed our plan and our desire to do what we can to help out this community.” The plan proposes a total of 44 new courts—22 for tennis and 22 for pickleball—by 2036, with construction expected to begin in the next six years. However, concerns persist about the feasibility and funding for the long-term aspects of the plan.
“We are excited to be able to help our racket sport community through this new construction and court maintenance. Their feedback and ideas have been invaluable as we’ve gone through this process.” – (Thornton)
Pickleball’s Gains
While tennis players grapple with the court crisis, the pickleball community is experiencing a boost. With no current dedicated pickleball courts, the new facilities represent a major advancement. Robert Constable, president of BOCO Pickleball Club, is pleased with the progress. “We’ll be going from zero to sixteen next year. From our perspective, we were coming from nothing,” he says.
Despite the positive momentum for pickleball, the two sports are not necessarily at odds. Xu and Constable emphasize the importance of collaboration. “We have a great relationship,” Constable notes. “We’re working together and seeing this as something that benefits all of us.” Xu concurs, stating, “It’s not pickleball that we’re fighting against. The real problem is we need more courts.”
As Boulder goes through its court shortage, the challenge will be balancing the needs of both tennis and pickleball communities while addressing the broader implications of these changes.
News in Brief: Boulder Tennis Community Faces Court Shortage
Boulder is grappling with a significant court shortage, losing 27 tennis and pickleball courts by early 2025. The city plans to build 19 new courts—3 for tennis and 16 for pickleball—causing frustration among tennis players who feel the additions won’t offset their losses. Tennis advocates have launched petitions and fundraisers, while pickleball enthusiasts welcome the new facilities. The city is working on a long-term plan to address the needs of both sports.
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