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Oak Harbor City Council has unanimously approved an agreement for a company to develop plans for a new pickleball court.
The $78,100 project, awarded by RWD Landscape Architects, will build eight new pickleball courts in Sumner or Fort Nugent parks.
At an April 2023 workshop, the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee recommended shifting funds from improving the school district’s pickleball courts to building the courts on city property with Americans with Disabilities Act accommodations, fencing, benches and picnic tables.
Parks and Recreation Director Brian Smith said they initially considered four parks before settling on either Sumner Park or Fort Nugent Park. Sumner needs to remove the playground and improve the parking lot. Fort Nugent might work, but they need to “test the soil.”
While planning funding has been approved, Smith now needs to seek construction funding. Parks and Recreation has applied for Youth Facilities and Community Outdoor Sports Facilities grants from the Office of Recreation and Conservation. Smith said state Rep. Clyde Shavers is also interested in supporting the facility during the next legislative session’s budget process.
Oak Harbor resident Marc Dejong said the plans for the new stadium are great but not fast enough.
He said the pickleball courts at Rotary Park were “almost unplayable,” noting there were tripping hazards. These courts are located in close proximity to the Chamber of Commerce and do not represent the community well.
De Jong acknowledged that the park was not funded by council, but visitors who came to see it were in a state of disrepair and did not consider which department was responsible.
Pat Lamont, treasurer of the North Whidbey Picklers, said the club pays $900 a month to play pickleball at various facilities throughout the year. While new courses are a good idea, they won’t reduce the cost because they won’t handle bad weather.
Connie Punch, vice president of North Whidbey Picklers, said the association has 30 members, 15 on a waiting list, and active walk-in members. For the fifth year in a row, pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in the United States because people of all ages can play.
“I’m sure these eight (new courts) will be great, and you’ll find more are needed in a short period of time,” she said.
According to Parks and Recreation Commissioner Tom Jones, Sequim has 80 courts and a membership of more than 400 pickleball players. Skagit Valley College in Mount Vernon has 900 pickleball players, while membership in Oak Harbor is limited because of limited space.
“Don’t fret about low membership numbers because that’s not representative of what we’re going to see when we build new courts,” he said.
The new course brings clinics, lessons and tournaments that will attract more people of all ages, he said.
Councilman Jim Woessner said a total of $50,000 of the $78,100 was pre-approved because the funds were originally intended to upgrade Rotary Park. When quotes for upgrades rose significantly, the council diverted those funds toward pickleball courts.
“I think there’s no question that pickleball is replacing tennis and some other sports,” he said. “I remember every park had tetherball. We need to update our facilities as times change.”
Likewise, he asked, if $78,100 is spent on the program, what happens if they can’t find the funds to implement it?
Smith said there are many alternative financing options. The department will continue to apply for grants, and state representatives have historically been very supportive of the funding.
“We’re going to continue to apply for grants. We’re going to get it. Trust the process. It’s going to happen,” Smith said. “I have no doubt we’ll have a pickleball court and I need some help with my backhand and how to keep people out of my kitchen, but it’s just a matter of time.”
Councilman Shane Hofmeyer said a key part of that was the enthusiasm of the players, some of whom wore team jerseys at the meeting to show their support.
“South Whidbey has the Pickle Deli, love it. We have North Whidbey Picklers, so after this, I’d love to have someone around and I’d love to know where I can get a pink shirt,” he explain. “If the North Whidbey Pickler team is as diligent in engaging with our state representatives as they have been with us, then this will definitely happen.”
Councilor Eric Marshall said the eight new courts were ultimately a smaller project on the way to a larger project – the leisure centre. The recreation center will provide a long-term solution to severe weather and provide more opportunities for the community.
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