We, the residents and taxpayers of Clovis, respectfully ask the City Council to invest in public pickleball courts to meet the growing demand in our community.

Pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in America, with 19.8 million players nationwide in 2024, a 45.8% increase from 2023, reaching an estimated 20 million players, according to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association. Pickleball is a professional sport, featured on ESPN, PickleballTV, and slated for future Olympic inclusion. Its appeal spans all ages, making it uniquely family-friendly and socially engaging. The sport attracts a broad age range, with over one million children and many young adults joining. (Source: pickleheads)

Currently, Clovis has no public pickleball courts, while smaller neighboring cities offer these popular facilities. Fresno has secured permanent courts at two parks, temporary lines at two others, and plans for a 16-court complex at Woodward Park, but Clovis is in need of dedicated outdoor and indoor facilities. Private tennis clubs with pickleball courts are overcrowded, and not everyone can afford membership. The demand is undeniable: visitors to Clovis, including tourists visiting national parks or ski resorts, frequently ask where they can play.

Proposed Solutions:

1. Partner with Clovis Unified School District: Paint pickleball lines on two or more tennis courts at each high school to quickly and affordably create a minimum of eight courts per campus, with lighting for evening play.
2. Vacant Commercial Space: Convert a commercial building into an indoor pickleball venue, attracting valley-wide players and generating city revenue.
3. Recreation Center: Reinstate the three courts that previously existed before the new flooring was installed, as the Activity Center’s dance floor is not suitable for regulation courts.

Now Is The Time To Act

By acting now, Clovis can support a healthy, active community, embrace a sport with national visibility and professional presence, and prevent residents from leaving town to pursue their sport elsewhere.

We urge the City Council to act now to fund and plan pickleball facilities for Clovis residents.