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Players urge Pueblo County to preserve daytime, low-cost pickleball access as staff pilots registration series
Summary
Residents and regular players told the Pueblo County Board of County Commissioners that a proposed 8‑week, $60 round‑robin program at St. Charles Mesa Recreation Center would limit access for seniors and infrequent players; Parks & Recreation said no drop‑in fee is currently in place and offered to host a community meeting.
Dozens of residents asked Pueblo County commissioners on Sept. 9 to reconsider proposed scheduling changes and potential fees for indoor pickleball at the St. Charles Mesa Recreation Center, saying the changes would disproportionately affect older players and others who rely on daytime open play.
“My name is Monte Jack, and I would like to share some observations and opinions…regarding proposed changes to schedules, availability of gym time, and possible fees associated with access,” said Monty Jack, who described the existing round‑robin system as flexible and particularly important for seniors. He warned that requiring players to "sign up for 8 weeks and pay the proposed fee of $60" could leave some who miss dates out of both play and refunds.
Julie Porter, who said she lives in Pueblo West, told commissioners the round‑robin changes "greatly reduced our open play time" and called the proposed fee "just not feasible for most people on fixed incomes." Debbie Dove and other speakers echoed concerns about daytime access, saying indoor play is essential for people who cannot tolerate sun exposure.
Amanda Hobson, deputy director of Pueblo County Parks and Recreation, responded that staff is seeking ways to bring additional funding into the program while trying not to eliminate open play. Hobson provided the department's posted open‑play schedule and pilot timeline: "Every Tuesday and Thursday, we have open play from 10AM to 5PM…" She said parks staff is testing a limited round‑robin series (Mondays and Wednesdays) and that "at this point in time, we do not have any associated drop in fees." Hobson added the registration deadline for the trial round‑robins is Sept. 30, with play to start the week of Oct. 6, and offered to host a community meeting to gather more input.
Speakers pressed several practical points: that locking players into an 8‑week commitment reduces opportunities for newcomers and for those with variable schedules; that existing informal donation systems helped cover equipment; and that youth‑only blocks could needlessly restrict family play. Parks staff said youth times were added because some middle‑ and high‑school students reported feeling intimidated when adults dominated open courts.
The board did not take formal action on the issue but asked staff to hold a community session, gather feedback, and return with options.
The next procedural step: Parks and Recreation will host a community meeting and report back to the commissioners after the trial period and public input are collected.
