HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-03-2018 Master Plan update - OKelly1
From:Brian O'Kelly <
Sent:Friday, September 21, 2018 9:05 AM
To:Advisory Bodies
Subject:PRC communication
Attachments:Pickleball 20 Year Plan FINAL.pdf
Dear Members of the Parks and Recreation Commission,
The San Luis Obispo Pickleball Club has compiled this document as our contribution for input on the Parks and Rec
Master Plan. Copies have been submitted to the Wallace Group and to Parks and Rec City staff.
We appreciate the opportunity to be a part of planning for the future of San Luis Obispo.
If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact me.
Respectfully Submitted,
Brian O'Kelly, President, SLO Pickleball Club
805 610 5186
losthillsguy@gmail.com
Pickleball - The Twenty Year Plan
This document was compiled by the San Luis Obispo Pickleball Club, Inc. (SLOPB Club) as a
contribution to the City of San Luis Obispo Parks and Recreation Master Plan. SLOPB Club
has been an active partner in the development of city-wide pickleball activities. The Club has
worked closely with City personnel for the past four years to identify and meet the recreational
needs of its citizens interested in the sport of pickleball. This year, the SLOPB Club has 130
dues paying members plus an additional 150 people on it’s Club email list. SLOPB Club
supplies balls and nets for pickleball play, logs city waivers, and provides instructors and court
hosts during designated pickleball play time at all City pickleball venues. SLOPB Club is a
501c3 non-profit and has the ability to fundraise for projects, identified and approved by the
Club, which need its financial support.
Background - Growth of Pickleball in San Luis Obispo
Pickleball has experienced rapid growth since the formation of the San Luis Obispo Pickleball
Club (SLOPB Club) and the inception of the City’s Pickleball Pilot Program in 2015, as
approved by the City of SLO Parks and Recreation.
The SLOPB Club has kept contemporaneous records of pickleball court use for the past three
years. The numbers in these records reflect two things. First, the growth and popularity of
pickleball in the City of SLO matches those of national trends, and secondly, each time the City
of SLO approves additional pickleball court usage, those courts quickly fill to maximum
capacity. Currently, SLOPB Club is under-serving the City’s pickleball community. It is noted
that approximately 10 - 20 players leave the City of San Luis Obispo daily to play in other cities
due to overcrowding or long wait times for court play.
City of SLO Pickleball Growth Chart
One person playing one day = 1 Player Day
Player growth closely matches current available facilities.
Background - Growth of Pickleball (cont.)
2015 - Pickleball Pilot Program Begins at Ludwick Community Center and
Meadow Park
In 2015, the City of SLO approved play with two temporary indoor courts at the Ludwick
Community Center on Wednesdays for a 3 hour time slot and three temporary outdoor courts at
Meadow Park on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings. Almost immediately the courts at
both locations were at maximum capacity and the Club requested increased court time.
2015 - Free Lesson Program at Ludwick Community Center
In 2015, SLOPB Club initiated a Free Pickleball Lesson Program at Ludwick Community
Center. The Club provides volunteer instructors to teach (the rules and fundamentals of
pickleball) and supervise open play for any interested persons. There are currently 10 - 20 new
and/or beginning players participating every Wednesday at the Ludwick Community Center.
Background - Growth of Pickleball (cont.)
2016 - Addition of French Park Basketball Court for Multi Use Facility
In July of 2016, the City of SLO approved multi-use French Park basketball court as a multi-use
facility for basketball and pickleball. The City stripped the pickleball courts, thereby providing
three temporary pickleball courts for play on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. The approval of
these three courts meant pickleball play was now available every weekday morning on
temporary courts at two locations within the City (i.e., Meadow Park and French Park.)
2017 - Additional French Park Tennis Court for Multi Use Facility
In January 2017, the City of SLO approved a multi-use facility agreement at the French Park
tennis court, one of the City’s tennis courts. The project was developed by the City after
soliciting feedback from both the tennis and the pickleball communities. The result was the
City’s approval of the French Park tennis court as a multi-use facility beginning in May 2017
with reserved times for both pickleball and tennis, and with additional drop-in play time for both
sports. French Park tennis court has proven to be the City of SLO’s best and most popular venue
for pickleball. There are several reasons for this. The pickleball courts are completely fenced in,
there is enough room between courts and the back fence to allow for competitive play, and
because the tennis court is built into the hillside which provides some wind protection. This is a
big factor for pickleball players as the ball utilized by the sport is very lightweight and can be
greatly affected by the wind during play.
Summary of Past and Future Demand
The growth trends of pickleball in the City of San Luis Obispo have been consistently strong
during the past 3 years, and this mirrors what is happening at the national level. Locally, the
growth has also closely matched the number of courts available. When the Club reaches or
exceeds a maximum number of players at its current venues, many players are choosing to travel
out-of-town to play in other cities.
SLOPB Club expects to see continued strong growth, especially in the working class and student
sectors if we can get dedicated weekend court time. One of the most obvious recreational needs
not currently being met by the City of SLO and the SLOPB Club (due to the lack of reserved
court time on Saturdays and Sundays) is pickleball court availability for this later group (students
and working adults) whose leisure time is limited to evenings and weekends. It is anticipated
that 7 courts could be filled at French Park weekend morning in 1 to 3 years.
Twenty Year Goals
1.To meet the growing demand of a fast growing pickleball community in the most cost
efficient and practical way for the next twenty years.
2.To build a “Pickleball Center” suitable for large events. This facility requires a minimum
of eight pickleball courts at a single location. It will also require an adjacent area for
award ceremonies and food service.
3.Make the pickleball center easily accessible by bike and other modes of transportation.
French Park is at the southern end of the Bicycle Safety Trail, near bus stations and is
the site with the most promise at this time.
4.To reduce out-of-town car travel by providing enough court time and venues in the City
of SLO for its rapidly growing pickleball community.
5.Provide adequate pickleball courts (venues) and play time on evenings and weekends to
meet the needs of people who work during the week, students and desire family play.
6.When/if the City develops an indoor sports facility, include pickleball courts.
7. Develop future pickleball courts in areas of low wind impact. Avoid the Los Osos
Valley wind corridor for large pickleball facilities. See attachment #1
8. Work with the City to promote pickleball league play and other City sanctioned
pickleball activities such as a Kids Pickleball Summer Camp.
9. While developing the sport of pickleball, minimize the impact to other recreational
activities, especially tennis.
10.Continue to provide the Free Lesson Program at the Ludwick Community Center.
11.Develop a new outreach programs to promote pickleball play among students, working
adults and families.
Potential Projects and Policies
1. Currently Planned
a.Conversion of the temporary basketball/pickleball courts located at the French
Park to three permanent courts with fencing. (Estimated completion 2019.)
i.This is the approved City funded project which will convert the current
basketball court to permanent pickleball courts and relocate the basketball
court to an adjacent area at French Park..
2.Upon Completion of the New Permanent Courts, Maintain Currently
Scheduled Court Time (French Multi Use Tennis Court and Meadow)
a.SLOPB Club currently uses the French Park Multi Use Tennis Court five days a
week in the mornings (peak times) with maximum capacity usage on most days.
b.Currently, we could fill 7 courts at French Park during the peak usage times.
c.A survey of City tennis courts done by the SLOPB Club, on an on-going basis,
shows empty tennis courts most mornings. Therefore, keeping French Park Multi
Use court available for pickleball as currently scheduled will have a minimal
impact on the tennis community and will continue to keep the French Park facility
fully utilized to its maximum potential.
d.Removing the French Park tennis court multi use facility agreement, upon the
completion of the permanent courts (at the existing basketball court), would be
setback and detrimental to the growth and expansion of the City’s pickleball
program.
3.Future Courts at New Housing Developments in the Planning Process
a.There are several new housing developments in the planning process which
include plans for the construction of pickleball courts in those development’s park
facilities. The current status of these courts, to the best of our knowledge, are not
locked in yet.
i.Orcutt Area Specific Plan - SLOPB Club believes that this is the best
new development for pickleball courts. There are several reasons:
1.The current plan has pickleball courts included as part of its large
community park.
2.The location is not in a severe windy area.
3.The location is close in proximity to French Park. Having
pickleball courts at French and the Orcutt development will make
it possible for SLOPB Club or the City to host large pickleball
events by utilizing both venues due to proximity.
4.SLOPB Club recommends constructing a minimum of four
permanent fenced pickleball courts (approximately equal to the
size of one tennis court).
ii.Avila Ranch and San Luis Ranch Developments- Both areas are
suitable for a one or two permanent court pickleball facility each to serve
its local area residents. Due to the high winds in both areas, SLOPB Club
does not recommend any large scale pickleball development at either site.
NOTE: Either or both of these developments will be good locations for
additional City tennis courts.
iii.
4. Easy, Low Cost Pickleball Courts - Existing Tennis Court Conversion
a.Nationwide, as pickleball expands and players from the tennis boom of the 70’s and 80’s
transition from tennis to pickleball, many municipalities find that converting existing
tennis courts to pickleball courts is an easy, low cost, and viable solution.
b.The City of SLO has a total of eight tennis courts; six courts at Sinsheimer, one court at
Islay, and one court at French. The high school has six tennis courts which are open to
the public including weekends, evenings after school, and day-use in the summer. The
six high school tennis courts plus the City’s eight tennis courts equal a total 14 tennis
courts. This count of 14 tennis courts should be taken into consideration when analyzing
tennis court availability. (Laguna Middle School not counted due to poor condition)
c. SLOPB Club anticipates that French Park will be the center of pickleball activity and
will continue to be the dominant venue for the City of SLO’s pickleball. French Park
will soon have 8 courts for pickleball making it the go to location for events. The 8
courts are composed of 3 permanent courts, 4 multi use, and 1 court on the new
basketball court for special occasions.
d. Upon completion of the three permanent pickleball courts at French Park basketball
court, it is estimated that it will take one year for any new patterns of pickleball court
play to become apparent.
e.If continued growth justifies it, SLOPB Club hopes the City of SLO will study and
consider a future conversion of the French tennis court to permanent pickleball courts,
especially if any additional tennis courts are built as part of new development.
f..French Park multi use court (four temporary pickleball courts) plus the planned three
permanent courts to be constructed at the existing French Park basketball court makes
French Park a ideal location for the City’s future premier pickleball facility.
g.8 pickleball courts at French Park would create a City “Pickleball Center”. Eight courts
is a minimum requirement for hosting large events.
Project Phasing and Projected Cost
One of the objectives of this section is to show the overall low cost to the City of SLO to achieve a really
good result to meet the needs of the pickleball community.
Project Timing Cost to the City of SLO
French Park, 3 Permanent Pickleball Courts 2019 $60,000.00
New Basketball Court
Maintain French Park Multi Use Agreement 2019 No cost
French Park 4 permanent courts 2020 $25,000.00
(court conversion if numbers justify it)Club participates in fundraising.
Orcutt Area Specific Plan Community Park 2022? Paid by developer
Minimum 4 individually fenced pickleball courts.
San Luis Ranch
1 or 2 pickleball courts to serve local area.2025 ? Paid by developer
Avila Ranch
1 or 2 pickleball courts to serve local area 2025 ? Paid by developer
Conclusion
To date, the City of San Luis Obispo, the Parks and Recreation Commission, and the Parks and
Recreation Staff have been very responsive to the pickleball community. Even though
pickleball is a relative newcomer to the table, the City has been very creative and helpful in
making sure pickleball has places to play and are planning for the future. As a club, we are very
grateful to the city and the time and effort it takes to juggle all the needs of the community.
One thing we can count on is pickleball will continue to grow in San Luis Obispo until it reaches
its peak sometime in the future. This year has seen a surge in younger players and those who
work and we expect that to carry on for several years before leveling off. We expect to see
continued growth in the number of pickleball players in the under 60 demographic along with the
retiring baby boomers.
The club looks forward to continue working with the City to meet the needs of this growing
community while always taking into account overall City goals.
Respectfully Submitted,
San Luis Obispo Pickleball Club Board of Directors
President, Brian O'Kelly Email (805) 610-5186
Vice President, Gary Zanini
Secretary, Bronwyn Rafferty
Treasurer, Jim Smith
Director, Bob Goldman
Director/USAPA Ambassador, Jean Hyduchak
Director/Webmaster, Roar Berg-Johansen
Attachment #1