USC’s Pickleball Courts Closure: The pickleball and tennis courts adjacent to the Jefferson Boulevard Parking Structure are officially closed, marking the beginning of a new development project for USC Athletics facilities, as announced by the USC Recreational Sports website on Tuesday morning. This move is part of the university’s plans to expand and enhance its athletic infrastructure.
Timeline and Student Reactions
Originally slated for closure in May, the courts remained accessible throughout the summer, closing only officially on Tuesday. The courts were a popular spot for students, including members of the club tennis team who relied on the space for practice.
Khai-Ly Tran, a junior business administration major and executive board member of the USC club tennis team, launched a petition on February 12 urging the university to secure replacements for the courts by the fall semester. The petition has garnered over 1,300 signatures.
Although the university’s January 22 update mentioned efforts to find replacements, Tuesday’s announcement offered no further details on the status of potential alternatives.
Student Impact and Reactions
As students await information on possible replacement facilities, many are struggling to find alternative courts. Josh Cohen, a senior in business administration, expressed frustration over the difficulty of accessing nearby pickleball courts.
“It’s a lot harder to just play with friends, and it needs to be more of a planned trip versus something that can be done spontaneously.” – (Cohen)
Similarly, Ben Ertl, a sophomore majoring in biopharmaceutical sciences, lamented the loss of the courts.
“Removing a space where students can be outside enjoying the weather just kind of isolates us more. It makes me sad that they closed that space because, over the past year, it has become a source of community for a lot of people.” – (Ertl)
News in Brief: USC’s Pickleball Courts Closure
USC has permanently closed its tennis and pickleball courts near the Jefferson Boulevard Parking Structure to make way for new Athletics facilities. Despite an initial closure date in May, the courts remained open throughout the summer, closing officially on Tuesday. Students, including those on the club tennis team, have expressed concerns over the lack of available alternatives.
A petition by Khai-Ly Tran urging for replacement facilities has over 1,300 signatures. The university has yet to provide updates on replacement plans, leaving students to seek other options for their sports activities.
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