Pickleball Court Use in Park City: In an effort to increase usage and address ongoing concerns, Park City Municipal Athletic and Recreation Center (PC MARC) will allow pickleball and tennis players to use the indoor courts for free before 8 a.m. this winter. The initiative is set to begin Nov. 25 and marks a significant shift in how the recreation center manages court time during the colder months.
A New Incentive for Early Birds
Ken Fisher, Park City’s Recreation Director, highlighted that the courts in the MARC bubble are often underused during the early morning hours. The facility’s indoor courts, he noted, typically see little action between 6 a.m. and 8 a.m., prompting a new strategy to boost participation during these times.
“One of the things that we want to do is try to come up with an incentive to increase play during that time. So we’re actually making bubble play Monday through Friday, from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m., free.” – (Fisher)
Balancing Priorities
The new free-play schedule designates specific days for each sport. Tennis players will have access to the courts on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings, while pickleball will take priority on Tuesday and Thursday mornings.
The decision to offer free play during these hours is part of a larger winter court management plan that aims to better balance the needs of both tennis and pickleball players. The plan comes after feedback from the community, particularly tennis players who have expressed concerns about the shared use of the indoor courts.
“I realize this has been contentious, but I believe we have a very good plan. I would ask the community and our users to have patience with one another.” – (Fisher)
Patience and Understanding
Fisher acknowledged that the limited number of indoor courts—especially during the winter—makes scheduling challenging. He emphasized that patience will be crucial during the court transitions, where players may need additional time to change out equipment.
“I think the trail motto of the ‘five seconds of kindness’ is something that we should certainly implement here,” Fisher said, offering a hopeful note for players to approach the new plan with understanding.
Future Expansion Plans
While this adjustment is expected to ease tensions for the upcoming winter season, the city is looking ahead to long-term solutions. Park City Municipal is currently exploring options for building a dedicated pickleball facility in Quinn’s Junction, which could alleviate some of the court-sharing issues that have become a point of controversy in recent months.
News in Brief: Pickleball Court Use in Park City
Park City Municipal Athletic and Recreation Center (PC MARC) will allow free pickleball and tennis play from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. on weekdays starting Nov. 25. Tennis players will use the courts on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, while pickleball will be available on Tuesday and Thursday mornings.
This initiative, part of a new winter court management plan, comes after community feedback regarding court sharing. Recreation Director Ken Fisher urges patience and understanding as the community adjusts to the new schedule.
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