New Indoor Pickleball Courts Open at Dubuque: As pickleball continues its rapid rise in popularity, Dubuque players welcome the opening of eight new indoor pickleball courts at the Five Flags Center. The courts, disclosed during an open house on Saturday, provide an eagerly awaited indoor option for local players who, until now, faced limited space options during colder months.
Growing Demand for Pickleball Courts in Dubuque
Pickleball has seen growth in Dubuque, drawing in players of all skill levels, from beginners to advanced competitors. An avid local player, Trish Kennedy highlights the high demand and lack of adequate court space, especially in popular outdoor parks like Veterans Memorial and Cloie Park.
“It’s been a huge growth in Dubuque. There’s a lot, a lot of players even from beginners all the way to advanced players.” – (Trish Kennedy)
With many courts already crowded, players often wait extended periods to play.
“A lot of times we have to wait for even an hour for a court at Vets [Veterans Memorial Park], Cloie Park is always full now, and Peosta also.” – (Trish Kennedy)
The new indoor pickleball facility at Five Flags is expected to relieve some of this demand and provide more consistent access to courts.
The Need for Indoor Courts During Winter
For players in Dubuque, winter has always presented a challenge. As temperatures drop, outdoor courts become unusable, leaving players with few options for indoor play. Aaron Rainey, general manager of Five Flags Center, saw an opportunity to fill this gap after hearing about the issue from his family members, who play pickleball themselves.
“They were saying that there‘s no place to play in the winter really in Dubuque. Or if there is, it‘s very limited. ” – (Aaron Rainey)
Seeing an unoccupied space with the potential for transformation, Aaron Rainey put his plan into motion.
“So my thought was: ’Well I got a big empty space and it can roll with it pretty easy’ so that’s kind of how it hatched and here we are.” – (Aaron Rainey)
This simple idea has now brought about a much-needed solution for local players.
Flexible Scheduling and Affordable Reservations
The new pickleball courts at Five Flags Center offer players flexibility and affordability, with free times available for drop-in play as well as reservation options for $25 per hour. For players like Kennedy, this allows more organized and consistent play, ensuring that groups can book times without the uncertainty of finding an open court.
“We’re going to be able to book and organize groups to play on a weekly basis. Instead of just hit and miss whether we get a court or not.” – (Trish Kennedy)
With these new pickleball courts, the Five Flags Center aims to support the pickleball community year-round, particularly during the colder months. As players begin using the pickleball courts, Dubuque’s vibrant pickleball scene is likely to keep expanding, bringing in new players and encouraging active, social gatherings.
News in Brief: New Indoor Pickleball Courts Open at Dubuque
Dubuque’s pickleball players now have a designated indoor space to enjoy their sport, a welcome addition to the community as interest in the game continues to rise. The availability of drop-in play and reserved times makes the pickleball facility accessible for casual players and more competitive groups.
ALSO READ: Best Pickleball Courts in Welch to Elevate Your Game