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Pickleball players press Oak Ridge for dedicated courts; city manager points to recreation master plan
Summary
Players and residents urged council to add dedicated pickleball courts in Oak Ridge, describing heavy demand at shared tennis courts; city manager said a recreation master plan RFQ is under way and staff will consider the request alongside other capital needs.
Residents and players urged Oak Ridge City Council on March 10 to prioritize dedicated pickleball courts, saying current play is crowded and dependent on converted tennis courts that are suboptimal for the sport.
"We are here to inform the city that we think we need a pickleball facility in our city," said Jill Ray, speaking during the Appearance of Citizens period. Players described using Jackson Square tennis courts and high school courts that are marked for pickleball but are in disrepair; they said the size of a dedicated pickleball court and fenced enclosures reduce ball loss and make play more efficient.
Several speakers gave comparative context and cost estimates. Brian Drain noted that using tennis courts for pickleball forces players to compromise on line markings and equipment. Ron Ray (resident) said a full new 12-court facility with lights and fencing could cost in the order of $700,000, while a lower-cost conversion of existing Jackson Square courts could be done for a fraction of that (he cited an estimate near $60,000 for surface repairs and nets).
Supporters emphasized pickleball's broad participation across age groups and community benefits. "Pickleball is inclusive," said Jack Parker. "You can be 8 years old or 80 and enjoy it; it builds social interaction and physical activity in a low-barrier way."
City Manager Randy Heeman told the group that staff is preparing a recreation master plan and that an RFQ for that planning work is currently active. "We're getting ready to do a recreation master plan. There's an RFQ out right now so hopefully in the next month or two we'll have somebody selected," Heeman said. He said the plan would look holistically at demand, how many courts are needed and where best to site them, and cautioned that the city must balance the request against other capital needs such as a pool and school-court repairs.
Heeman also said staff will consider short-term fixes where feasible and that requests such as a seasonal "bubble" or indoor scheduling could be evaluated along with longer-term siting. Council members encouraged staff to explore near-term accommodations that would improve playability while the broader plan is developed.
Several speakers also requested an indoor, year-round option or improvements to the high school courts; staff noted both Jackson Square and the high school courts will require different levels of investment, and the high school courts may need substantial reconstruction.
The council did not take formal action at the meeting; staff said it will consider pickleball needs as part of the forthcoming recreation master plan and return recommendations on timing and funding options.
