With sport booming, enthusiasts want more courts in Lodi

On Nov. 18, Lodi residents voiced their support for the growing sport of pickleball and urged the city to consider adding more courts to its parks to meet the increasing demand.

During a meeting with the Lodi City Council, a group of pickleball players proposed converting the last two of six tennis courts at Legion Park into pickleball courts to accommodate the sport’s growing popularity.

Since 2019, pickleball enthusiasts have seen a remarkable rise in interest, with membership in the Lodi Pickleball Club’s Facebook page reaching over 1,000 followers. Nancy Hennefer, a pickleball advocate, highlighted the surge in players, noting that the existing courts at Legion Park are often packed throughout the day.

Despite the efforts to allocate courts, the remaining two tennis courts at Legion Park are underutilized for their original purpose, prompting calls for their conversion to pickleball courts. The demand for more courts is evident in the popularity of free clinics held by Dennis Kaufman, who has seen over 400 participants in just two years.

The shift from tennis to pickleball is not unique to Lodi, as tennis clubs and gyms across the region have converted multiple courts to accommodate the growing interest in the sport. These developments reflect the sport’s ability to bring communities together, with players of all ages embracing the game.

While Lodi residents acknowledged the University of the Pacific’s recent addition of a pickleball complex, they emphasized the need for more courts within the city. Christina Jaromay, the city’s Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services director, confirmed plans to add more pickleball courts in Lodi, suggesting potential locations for future expansions.

Pickleball, a sport with similarities to tennis, has gained momentum in recent years and is enjoyed both indoors and outdoors. As interest in the sport continues to grow, Lodi residents are hopeful that the city will accommodate the demand by expanding pickleball facilities across the community.

Reference

Jessica Roberts

Jessica Roberts serves up the latest in the world of tennis. With a love for the racket sport, she reports on tennis matches, player rankings, and Grand Slam events, ensuring readers stay informed about the tennis world.