Marco Island’s Pickleball Problem: Marco Island’s pickleball community is pushing back after the City Council shelved a project to convert two underused tennis courts into seven pickleball courts at the Marco Island Racquet Center. On November 18, the council unanimously rejected contractor bids of $1.7 million and $2.1 million, which far exceeded the approved $768,000 budget.
“It was $1 million higher than we anticipated. We don’t have that million dollars. We need a Plan B. Maybe we can’t do the full seven courts we planned, but we have to figure out a way to augment these courts.” – (Greg Folley)
“It was $1 million higher than we anticipated. We don’t have that million dollars. We need a Plan B,” said Greg Folley, a former city councilman and avid pickleball player. Folley suggested scaling down the project as a potential solution, noting the sport’s surging popularity on the island.
Demand Outpaces Supply
Pickleball’s rapid growth on Marco Island has left existing facilities overwhelmed.
“There’s enormous demand compared to supply, particularly during season. We already have several hundred people on the waiting list wanting to play. The more courts we have, the demand is immediately there to fill it.” – (Greg Folley)
“We play six, seven days a week, a couple hours a day. It’s competitive, but it’s also camaraderie. During high season, it’s a 20-minute wait between games. Meanwhile, the tennis courts aren’t being used.” – (Mark Utecht)
Residents described pickleball as more than just a sport. “We play six, seven days a week, a couple of hours a day. It’s competitive, but it’s also camaraderie,” said Mark Utecht, a local player. With long wait times during the busy season, players feel the urgency for additional pickleball courts.
Building a Community
For many, pickleball is not only an activity but a social anchor. Jim Defrell, a player and resident, emphasized its community-building aspects.
“This is more social than tennis. You’re closer to the net, there’s more interaction, and it really builds a community. We have 500 of our closest friends who play together, and when someone is sick or hurt, we rally around them. It’s a good thing to do as you get older.” – (Jim Defrell)
Meanwhile, tennis courts at the Racquet Center often remain underused, further frustrating players demanding pickleball expansion.
Pushing for Alternative Solutions
Despite the setback, pickleball advocates are determined to keep the conversation alive. Folley proposed fundraising efforts to supplement the $768,000 already allocated.
“We’ve got $700,000 allocated. I don’t want that money to go back into the general fund. Let’s focus on pickleball and see if there’s a possibility of raising some additional money from the community.” – (Greg Folley)
Residents plan to address the City Council during its December 8 meeting, encouraging public participation to ensure pickleball remains a priority for the island.
News in Brief: Marco Island’s Pickleball Problem
Marco Island’s City Council rejected bids to build seven pickleball courts due to costs exceeding the $768,000 budget. With pickleball’s popularity surging, players highlighted the need for expanded pickleball facilities to reduce long wait times.
Advocates, including former councilman Greg Folley, are exploring scaled-down plans and community fundraising efforts to move forward. Residents will voice their concerns at the December 8 meeting.
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