Vista to add 8 pickleball courts

City will convert 2 tennis courts at Brengle Terrace Park and remove courts at Thibodo Park; council questions validity and viability of tennis

Pickleball players get in a game at Brengle Terrace Park on Tuesday. The City Council approved converting two tennis courts into eight pickleball courts during Tuesday’s City Council meeting. Steve Puterski photo

VISTA — The onslaught and demand for pickleball continues as the Vista City Council approved converting two tennis courts into eight pickleball courts at Brengle Terrace Park during Tuesday’s meeting.

In addition, the two courts at Thibodo Park will be removed after numerous noise complaints and Carlsbad residents being a “nuisance” at the courts, according to the council. The courts at Thibodo Park will move to Brengle Terrace Park.

Mike Pacheco, the city’s recreation and community services director said only 30% of Vista residents play at Thibodo Park.

Councilman Dan O’Donnell suggested the consolidation of the Thibodo courts and converting a second tennis court into four more pickleball courts at Brengle Terrace Park. The Planning Commission recommended repurposing court No. 5 at Brengle Terrace Park into four pickleball courts and constructing a new tennis court during its July 22 meeting.

However, several councilmembers and pickleball players said the two tennis courts — Nos. 5 and 6 — are rarely, if ever, used.