Pickleball Courts Get Cut at University of Montana: In a bid to increase parking availability, the University of Montana has significantly reduced its campus recreational facilities. The expansion of parking lot F led to the removal of eight of the nine tennis courts situated between the University Center and Aber Hall. This leaves only one tennis court and three pickleball courts available for use.
Student Clubs Affected
The reduction in courts has had a considerable impact on student-run clubs and the Griz tennis team, who previously utilized the facilities extensively. With the previous setup accommodating up to 32 players at once, the near-total loss of these courts has left the pickleball and tennis clubs grappling with the change. Carson Hegele, a junior and president of the pickleball club, expressed concerns about the reduced capacity. The club, which thrived with up to six simultaneous games, now struggles with limited court space and a decrease in participation.
“It is super nice for freshmen coming in and meeting a lot of people,” Hegele said. “Not having those tennis courts definitely takes away from us being able to get a big group out there, and the experience a lot.”
Impact on Pickleball Club
The pickleball club, previously able to host multiple games at once, now faces logistical challenges. The club’s sessions, which once allowed roughly 24 participants to play simultaneously, are now constrained to just three outdoor courts. Winter sessions at the Schriber Gym, which could accommodate only three games at a time, will be the club’s new norm until more courts become available.
“It really is just a different experience when you have six games of pickleball all going at once and everyone is having a good time,” Hegele said. “This just makes it a much smaller group.”
Despite these challenges, Hegele remains hopeful to maintain club activities at the Schreiber Gym until conditions improve.
Tennis Club’s Concerns
The tennis club, too, faces uncertainty. Sophomore Nate Hansen, a former member, noted that the reduced number of courts will impact the club’s ability to function effectively. The club previously used the courts twice a week with a turnout of 10 to 15 participants. With only one remaining court, the club can now only accommodate singles or doubles matches.
“I don’t want to have to drive 10 minutes there,” Hansen said. “The accessibility is really the problem.”
The tennis club’s efforts to gain formal recognition from the Associated Students of the University of Montana may also be hindered by the lack of accessible facilities.
Future of Campus Clubs
The reduction of tennis courts for parking purposes has sparked dissatisfaction among students. The loss of such a significant recreational resource raises concerns about the inclusion and community-building opportunities for new and existing students.
“Having the tennis courts taken away for parking is really sad to see,” Hansen said. “You don’t see the football stadium taken down because they need more parking.”
The future of the tennis and pickleball clubs, along with the overall impact on student life, remains uncertain as the university adjusts to the new parking arrangement.
News in Brief: Pickleball Courts Get Cut at University of Montana
The University of Montana has reduced its tennis courts from nine to one to expand parking lot F, significantly impacting student clubs. The pickleball and tennis clubs face reduced capacity and participation challenges. Pickleball club president Carson Hegele and tennis club member Nate Hansen express concerns about decreased space and accessibility, highlighting the broader implications for student engagement and community-building.
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