Boulder Parks and Recreation finalized its Court System Plan in 2024, which directs how the city will manage its current and future racket sport courts. The Plan guides racket sport capital investments, operating decisions and partnership development. The city will be implementing the Plan in several ways in 2025.
Boulder Parks and Recreation (BPR) finalized its Court System Plan in 2024, which directs how the city will manage its current and future racket sport courts. The Plan guides racket sport capital investments, operating decisions and partnership development. The city will be implementing the Plan in several ways in 2025.
At East Boulder Community Park, the city intends to build up to 12 pickleball courts over the site of the old tennis courts and build a new dedicated tennis area with a total of eight tennis courts. In addition, in partnership with the University of Colorado Athletic Department, the city is planning to build an indoor facility on city-owned property adjacent to East Boulder Community Park next to the new outdoor dedicated tennis courts. The facility may feature four to six courts and will be available to the public year-round.
The city has started the process to annex this property, formerly known as Hogan Pancost, to be a part of East Boulder Community Park. This park expansion will allow for the construction of the quantity of courts possible and the indoor tennis facility. Site analysis has already begun with community engagement happening this spring.
Related to this partnership between the city and the university, CU Athletics’ Balch Fieldhouse indoor tennis courts are now open for community members to reserve seven days a week.
The city is also planning to build 12 new dedicated pickleball courts at Tom Watson Park. The existing four tennis courts will remain. Other potential planned site improvements include new restrooms, a shade shelter, food court, parking lot resurfacing and an updated play area for youth. Design will happen this spring with the pickleball courts scheduled to open at the end of 2025.
BPR has also allocated $2,000,000 for each of the above projects through the Capital Improvement Program and intends to seek additional funding through grants, partnerships and donations. A final budget for each project will be determined after community engagement leads to final site designs.
Another racket sport court project is the refurbishment of the Chautauqua Park court. This project is possible due to a significant gift from Mo and Jennifer Siegel. The court is in very poor condition, so this project will reduce maintenance while increasing playability and the court’s lifespan. Construction for this project is anticipated to be completed in June.
The community donation for the Chautauqua court project was made through the PLAY Boulder Foundation, BPR’s philanthropic non-profit partner. The Siegel family’s donation will trigger the city’s first implementation of the “Sponsorship Naming of City Facilities” policy.
The PLAY Boulder Foundation has launched a capital campaign that will provide opportunities for community members to donate towards these BPR community court projects by funding amenities that are not possible within existing project budgets. Details can be found on PLAY Boulder’s website.
As the Court System Plan continues to be implemented, we will keep community members informed of project progress, opportunities for community engagement and court improvements.