HomeMy WebLinkAbout111220-5.1 PRESENTATIONProposal to Bring Pickleball to
Danville
According to the USA Pickleball Association, Pickleball has
seen a 650% increase in numbers of the last 6 years making it
the fastest growing sport in America. Demand has not kept up
with supply.
Why Pickleball in Danville?
•The creation of public Pickleball courts in Danville is already part of
Danville’s Strategic Plan.
“Support emerging recreation activities to address trends
and add variety to the recreation options in Danville.
Examples suggested during the Plan Update process include a
pump track or bike skills area, archery range, challenge
course, dog agility course, skateboard facilities, pickleball and
balance and core-strength stations”.
(page 20, #6 under Recommendations)
Why Pickleball in Danville? (Con’t)
•New Pickleball courts are going up in nearby towns in private churches and country clubs.
There are no public, dedicated Pickleball courts in Danville despite growing demand.
•Pickleball Courts are utilized at a much higher rate than tennis courts because Pickleball is
almost exclusively a doubles game (4 participants vs 2). One tennis court can create 4
pickleball courts allowing 16 people to play at once.
•Pickleball is very social and games are short (typically 15 min) which leads to a lot of
community interaction across all ages.
•Pickleball is easy to learn and all the related gear necessary to play is inexpensive ($40 for a
racket and balls).
•Pickleball is regularly the most popular sport being taught at schools in the area, but young
people have nowhere to play after school or on weekends.
•Danville has an aging population (10% to 14% from 2000 to 2010) and Pickleball is a great
sport for all ages, including the 65+ age group.
•Dedicated pickleball courts have been implemented in nearby communities with great
success.
Tennis Courts in Danville
•The Town of Danville manages 4 tennis courts at Osage Park and 2 at Diablo Vista = Total of 6
courts.
•The Town of Danville oversees tennis reservations at SRV (8 courts) and MV (8 courts). Total
of 16 courts
•A cursory analysis of Danville HOAs shows at least 31 tennis courts available to Danville
residents in their respective neighborhoods (not to mention private courts):
Greenbrook (4), Danville Station (4), Diablo West (4), Sterling Drive (4), Woodranch (4),
Danville Place (2), El Capitan (2), Sycamore (2), Highbridge (2), Hidden Valley (2), Creekside
(1) = Total of 31 courts
•Total Danville Tennis Courts (public & private) = 53
•Total Danville Pickleball Courts (public & private) = 1
The Walnut Creek Case Study
•The City of Walnut Creek converted 2 public tennis courts at
Rudgear Park into 8 permanent Pickleball courts in 2015 and
then 2018.
•Usage of the Rudgear Park Pickleball courts has been wildly
popular and continues to grow. The courts are nearly always
being used and attract players from all over Walnut Creek and
the surrounding area.
•The Walnut Creek City Council was supportive of the
conversion and the community has benefitted in a material
way.
Average Daily Attendance at
Rudgear Park in WC
Average Daily Attendance for the last 4 years
2015-23 players
2016-27 players
2017-28 players
2018-29 players
During Drop in/ Open Play, year-to-date, only 33 people have
reserved the multi-use court (both tennis and Pickleball) for
tennis compared to an estimated 3600 who have played
Pickleball.
Year-to-date the Rudgear Park Pickleball Courts are utilizing an
average of 7 of the 8 courts a day!
Walnut Creek Pickleball Club
Membership Growth since 2009
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
400
450
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
Me
m
b
e
r
s
Year
Pickleball Options in Danville
•Option 1: Convert 1 tennis court into 4 permanent pickleball
courts.
Pros
-Only 3 courts are needed to maintain USTA viability so losing 1 court, in the case of Osage,
will not impact the tennis tournament system.
-No set up and take down of temporary nets which requires onsite storage and management
-No oversight needed to ensure the nets are stored properly.
-Permanent nets and lines are ideal for pickleball players generally.
-Will likely generate more income as it will attract more players and more reservations.
-Could be reverted back to tennis if necessary
Cons
-More expensive to build up front
-Likely a longer approval process
-Not multi-use (lose one tennis court)
Pickleball Options in Danville
•Option 2: Paint lines for 4 pickleball courts onto 1 tennis court
creating a multi-use court.
Pros
-Cheaper and faster to implement
-Easier to undo if necessary
-Still allows for tennis to be played
Cons
-Requires onsite storage and management of the temporary nets
-May require a dedicated pickleball club to organize and execute
-Adds more distracting lines to the tennis court for both sports
Court Conversion Cost Breakdown
FSP Inc Resurfacing Bid $7,200
4 Permanent Nets $9,600
Fence Between Courts $4,200
Additional Entrance Gate $1,800
TOTAL $22,800
City management of project TBD
GRAND TOTAL $22,800
Proposal to Bring Pickleball to
Danville