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Boise outlines five‑year pickleball court plan after settlement; proposes conversions and new dedicated courts
Summary
Department staff proposed a five‑year pickleball court management plan starting in 2027 with a short‑term goal to raise dedicated pickleball availability from 16% to 25% by 2027 and a long‑term target of 40% by 2031; the plan identifies potential sites, a Dec. 1 public survey and cost estimates (12‑court new build ~ $1.2M; conversions ~$150k–$200k).
Roseanne Brown, recreation superintendent for the Boise Parks and Recreation Department, presented a five‑year pickleball court management plan to the commission on Nov. 20, prompted by a settlement that required the city to close pickleball courts at Manitou Park and Willow Lane Park.
Brown described a decade of changes: incremental dual‑use conversions beginning about 2013, later dedicated facilities such as a 12‑court complex at Alta Harris, and conversions at Willow Lane and Manitou that were later reversed because of legal settlement and neighborhood concerns. Brown said the department learned that ‘‘dedicated’’ courts, rather than dual use, better meet players’ needs.
The plan presented aims to increase dedicated pickleball availability from 16% of racket‑court capacity to 25% by 2027 and to 40% by 2031. Brown said the department’s short‑term proposal would add about 34 dedicated courts through a mix of conversions and new construction. Candidate locations mentioned include converting Oahu Park to a 12‑court dedicated complex, adding six dedicated courts at the Optimist Youth Sports Complex, incorporating 12 courts already in Alta Harris master planning, and potential modifications at Molinar Park for four dedicated courts.
On costs and process: Director Sarah Arkel cited an Alta Harris 12‑court development estimate of about $1,200,000 (new construction) and said converting existing tennis courts is substantially cheaper. Arkel estimated Oahu conversions in the $150,000–$200,000 range and said any conversion that changes an amenity would trigger a public hearing to amend the master plan.
Brown acknowledged constraints: noise concerns raised by nearby residents that led to litigation and the eventual settlement, the need to balance tennis and pickleball interests, and limited near‑term funding. She said the department will open an online public survey Dec. 1 for one month to gather community input on play levels, group sizes, times of day and siting preferences.
Commissioners asked for inclusion of additional partners (for example, the West Ada School District) and for more data behind the 34‑court target; Arkel said staff relied on historical trends (NRPA and pickleball association data) and on master plan opportunities but that a more detailed needs assessment is part of the proposed public engagement and budgeting work.
Next steps: the department will run the Dec. 1–30 public survey, pursue funding and partners, conduct public hearings as required for amenity changes, and bring concrete project proposals and budget requests back to the commission and council.
