Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Parks Recreation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Pickleball advocates propose multi‑court complex at county fairgrounds site; master‑plan review to consider options
Summary
A local pickleball group presented plans for a large multi‑court facility and suggested the county sand‑shed/resolution‑center site as a possible location; county staff said the site is subject to an upcoming master‑planning process and encouraged proponents to engage in that planning.
Representatives of a local pickleball group told the board they want dedicated courts in The Dalles and proposed a 16‑court complex at or near the county fairgrounds—potentially using or replacing the sand shed area adjacent to Kramer Field—so the community can host multi‑day tournaments and increase recreation options.
Proposal highlights
The presenter said pickleball is growing across age groups (including younger players) and that tournaments bring visitors who spend on lodging and local services. The group estimated a large‑scale complex could cost multiple millions of dollars (presenter cited an estimate of roughly $3 million for a 16‑court complex) and suggested incremental smaller projects—converting underused tennis courts at a school or building a cluster of courts as lower‑cost short‑term options—would also help.
County response and planning context
County staff said the sand‑shed site has existing operational uses and is included in early work on a resolution‑center master plan; the board’s planned master‑planning process for that site can formally evaluate preservation of some spaces for recreation, consolidation of storage and long‑term redevelopment options. Staff encouraged proponents to participate in the master‑planning process so architects and planners can evaluate parking, wind exposure, utilities and adjacency to ballfields and other uses.
No action taken
The board received the presentation and gave staff direction to consider pickleball as part of the fairgrounds/resolution‑center master‑planning process. No county funding or site commitment was made at the meeting.
Ending
Advocates were invited to continue coordinating with Parks & Recreation and county staff; staff said future site concepts will be evaluated in the master plan and may be informed by grant prospects and private fundraising.
