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Council advances study of permanent and interim pickleball solutions after contested community debate
Summary
Council advanced a staff analysis of options for interim and permanent pickleball facilities after public commenters and sports operators urged solutions; staff told council a feasibility study is underway and will analyze interim site options and longer-term facilities.
Mountain View council on Feb. 25 directed staff to analyze interim and permanent options for pickleball facilities after months of community debate about shared use of tennis courts and the location of pilot courts.
Public comment included divided views from player groups and tennis advocates. Terry Roehl, president of the Mountain View Tennis Club, opposed interim pickleball installations that would reduce tennis capacity and highlighted current contractual obligations and parking and noise concerns. Roehl said the tennis club pays court fees and relies on the facilities for programming and tournaments. By contrast, pickleball operators and players argued for more courts and faster action: "Pickleball is not a short-term fad," said instructor and operator Michael Rogers, arguing Mountain View needs dedicated courts rather than temporary conversions that pit users against each other.
Cuesta Tennis operator Todd Disley told council that the pilot at Cuesta Park has generated strong demand but that management and scheduling are chaotic without clear oversight. "Without anyone managing that site, it's kind of the wild west out there," Disley said.
Parks and Recreation staff and Community Services Director John Marshall told council a pickleball feasibility study is already under way; the study examines site options, interim conversions and longer-term dedicated facilities and will incorporate community input and existing tournaments schedules. Marshall said staff are evaluating recently acquired properties and recommended a balanced approach to avoid unintended impacts on tennis programs that use tournament dates booked years in advance.
Councilmembers discussed the competing demands and emphasized fairness and safety. Some members urged rapid interim relief to reduce lengthy wait times for players; others emphasized that any interim solution must not displace long-running tennis programs.
No immediate policy or binding decision was taken beyond advancing staff analysis; council asked parks staff to return with a scope, costs and options that balance tennis tournaments and club activities with community demand for pickleball and other court sports.
Ending: Staff will return with the pickleball feasibility study recommendations, interim options and cost/scheduling implications for council consideration.
