Carlsbad approves 8 pickleball courts

The city will add four courts each at two parks; City Council also continues push for airport to act as a ‘friendly neighbor’

The City of Carlsbad City Council approved the construction of eight pickleball courts at two parks during Tuesday’s meeting. File photo

CARLSBAD — Eight new pickleball courts are coming to city parks by 2026 after the City Council approved the project during Tuesday’s meeting.

Four courts each will be installed at Calavera Hills and Stagecoach community parks. Parks and Recreation Director Kyle Lancaster said it will take between 24-28 months to complete design, permitting and construction.

The City Council directed staff to prioritize the construction of new courts during its Sept. 26, 2023 meeting, Lancaster said.

The city allocated $300,00 from the Public Facilities Fee Fund for scoping, initial design and final design. The total cost of the four courts is $2.4 million, according to the staff report.

Pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in the country and municipalities have been scrambling to add courts amid a wave of enthusiastic players calling for more space. Residents and players across North County are pressing cities for more public access, while private facilities, such as Bobby Riggs in Encinitas, have converted tennis courts into pickleball courts.