Pittsburgh’s Pickleball Boom: As the popularity of pickleball skyrockets, Pittsburgh is moving swiftly to meet the needs of its growing player base.
During a recent three-day pickleball tournament on Washington’s Landing, courts were packed from morning until night, highlighting the sport’s rapid rise. Once considered a pastime for retirees, pickleball has become a favorite for millions, particularly among younger players. This growing interest has made new pickleball courts a hot commodity, filling up as soon as they’re built.
A Strain on Courts Across Pittsburgh
In response to this boom, pickleball courts are at a premium throughout the region. A prime example is the Schenley Oval, where its four courts are consistently in use every evening, leaving crowds waiting for their turn. In stark contrast, a dozen adjacent tennis courts often sit vacant.
“We’re trying not to take their courts, but a lot of them are sitting empty,” said Chuck Vietmeier of Gamma Sports. “We noticed there’s a lot of courts that aren’t being used during the day, and there’s a lot of pickleball players. We try not to do it, but that’s what’s been happening.”
Community Support and Pushback
Pittsburgh Councilman Bobby Wilson emphasized the overwhelming support for more pickleball courts. “The neighbors here on Washington’s Landing want it. The neighbors on Troy Hill wanted it,” he said, adding that a “big public process” backed the city’s decisions.
The city, however, has had to navigate complaints from tennis enthusiasts. “Did you upset some tennis players?” asked KDKA-TV’s Andy Sheehan. Wilson acknowledged the frustration: “Of course. There’s always going to be people that are upset about something.”
The Balancing Act: Tennis vs. Pickleball
While tennis is not being entirely phased out, Wilson admitted that some tennis courts will likely continue to be converted as pickleball grows. He assured that the city will invest in existing tennis facilities and explore building pickleball courts in available spaces.
“Really just want our parks to thrive. We want our parks to be active all the time,” said Wilson.
As pickleball remains the fastest-growing sport in the country, local governments are feeling the pressure to accommodate the surging demand.
News in Brief : Pittsburgh’s Pickleball Boom
Pittsburgh is racing to meet the rising demand for pickleball courts as the sport grows in popularity. During a three-day tournament on Washington’s Landing, courts were fully booked, and Schenley Oval’s four courts are in constant use.
As some tennis courts remain underutilized, the city is converting several into pickleball courts, drawing both praise and criticism. Councilman Bobby Wilson acknowledged the challenges of balancing both sports but emphasized that the city is committed to maintaining active parks. Pickleball’s growth shows no signs of slowing.
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