Prescott Approves Plan for New Pickleball Courts: The Prescott City Council, at their June 10 meeting, reviewed the May 20 Parks and Public Works Committee meeting, focusing on the concept plan for Public Square Park’s tennis and pickleball courts.
The Prescott Pickleball Group, consisting of 120 members, collaborated with the city in 2022 to fund two new pickleball courts, completed in fall 2023 at a cost of $23,357. The group currently reserves these courts on Monday (6–8 p.m.), Wednesday (6–8 p.m.), and Saturday (8–11 a.m.). Summer season fees are $25 for residents, $40 for non-residents, and $5 for guests. A third-party app manages reservations, causing frustration among community members who believe they should have unrestricted access due to their tax contributions.
The current tennis courts, resurfaced in 2021 at a cost of $18,740, are experiencing major cracking. The construction of the tennis courts resulted in their non-standard width of 90 feet. The 2025 Capital Improvement Plan proposes reconstructing the tennis courts to a standard width of 102 feet. Tennis enthusiasts insist that both courts are necessary, despite the Prescott Pickleball Group’s request to convert one tennis court into pickleball courts.
We presented three options for the reconstruction:
- Option A: Maintain two tennis courts and add two adjacent pickleball courts, costing $135,000 to $172,000.
- Option B: Convert one tennis court into four pickleball courts, leaving one tennis court, which costs $90,000 to $120,000.
- Option C: Add four striped pickleball courts while keeping two dual-striped tennis courts, which cost $90,000 to $120,000, with the drawback of crowded surfaces.
The Parks and Public Works Committee recommended Option B for the 2025–2032 Capital Improvement Plan, emphasizing the need for city approval before installing any signs or equipment.
City Administrator Matt Wolf stated, “The committee recommends converting one tennis court into four pickleball courts, leaving one dedicated tennis court.” The estimated cost of this project ranges from $90,000 to $120,000.
The committee also recommended reserving the new pickleball courts for the group’s use on Wednesdays (6–8 p.m.) and Saturdays (8–10 a.m.). Mondays will be open community pickleball sessions.
Alderperson Maureen Otwell expressed concern about the impact on tennis clinics, noting that having only one court might be problematic. Prescott resident Kathy Hovel highlighted that summer tennis camps involve 25 children, questioning the necessity of two courts.
Alderperson John Peterson argued that the pickleball courts are in higher demand than the tennis courts, stating, “These tennis courts are not getting used nearly as much as the pickleball courts. I believe it would be more beneficial to convert one.”
News in Brief : Prescott Approves Plan for New Pickleball Courts
The Prescott City Council reviewed options for the 2025 reconstruction of Public Square Park’s courts. The Prescott Pickleball Group, which helped fund two courts in 2022, wants more space due to high demand. The Parks and Public Works Committee recommended converting one tennis court into four pickleball courts, costing $90,000-$120,000. Alderpersons debated the impact on tennis activities, while community members expressed frustration over restricted court access.
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