Rohnert Park’s Transformation into Premier Pickleball: The building that once showed movies for Rohnert Park residents is set for a major transformation into a state-of-the-art pickleball and health club facility. This ambitious project will repurpose the former Reading Cinemas location, which has been vacant since its abrupt closure last November.
CenterLine 33, the firm behind the redevelopment, has received approval for their plans to turn the 16-screen theater into a sprawling pickleball arena combined with comprehensive health and wellness amenities. The Rohnert Park Planning Commission has greenlit the site plan and architectural review for additional outdoor courts, setting the stage for what promises to be the largest pickleball facility in the North Bay.
Vision and Leadership
Richard Coombs, Bill Carson, and Jack Weaver, the driving forces behind the project, bring a wealth of experience and ambition to the venture. Coombs, a general partner at Airport Business Center and a key player in local commercial real estate, expressed enthusiasm for the facility’s potential impact.
“It’s wonderfully located to serve the entire county and we’re excited to build a facility that will hopefully be an amazing pickleball experience for people of all ages.” – (Coombs)
Carson, with his roles at the Windsor Golf Course and Rooster Run Golf Club, and Weaver, managing partner at the law firm Welty, Weaver, and Currie, bring additional expertise and vision to the project. Weaver highlighted the facility’s commitment to wellness, stating,
“We’re taking what is now empty space that was family friendly and replacing it with something health and wellness based and still family friendly.”
A New Chapter for Rohnert Park
The redevelopment will repurpose approximately 74,000 square feet of the theater’s space, once home to 16 theaters and 3,000 seats. The new facility will feature 17 indoor pickleball courts, alongside spaces for ping pong and cornhole. The second floor will be converted into a viewing lounge, while a 2,000-square-foot gym will offer a range of health amenities, including saunas, locker rooms, and red light therapy spaces.
Outside, the transformation continues with the conversion of 138 parking spaces into 16 outdoor pickleball courts, secured by a 12-foot fence. A shaded structure will provide seating and viewing options for members. Noise considerations have been factored into the planning, ensuring the facility’s operations respect the surrounding commercial district.
Despite the excitement, some concerns were raised during the planning commission meeting. Vice chairperson Chuck Striplen questioned the project’s longevity, pondering what might happen “when the fad is over when people move on from pickleball to something else.” Nevertheless, the site plan and architectural review were approved, except for one member’s absence.
As demolition and construction are set to begin, the former movie theater’s transformation into a hub for health and pickleball promises a new chapter for the Rohnert Park community, blending sports, wellness, and family-friendly amenities in a revitalized space.
News in Brief: Rohnert Park’s Transformation into Premier Pickleball
The former Reading Cinemas in Rohnert Park is being converted into a premier pickleball and health club facility. The redevelopment, led by CenterLine 33, will include 17 indoor and 16 outdoor pickleball courts, a gym, and wellness amenities. The project, approved by the Rohnert Park Planning Commission, aims to create the largest pickleball facility in North Bay, blending sports, wellness, and family-friendly activities in a revitalized space.
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