Wednesday Sept. 29, 3 p.m. The City of Santa Fe will host a ribbon cutting ceremony for the opening of 6 newly dedicated pickleball courts at Fort Marcy Park to support the quickly growing local community of more than 450 players.
“Mayor Alan Webber and City Councilors Sig Lindell and Carol Romero-Wirth were instrumental in making this dream come true,” says pickleball advocate Cindy Lawton. “Staff also has been working diligently meeting with both the Pickleball Club of Santa Fe and the USA Pickleball Association to gather community input to move this effort forward.”
According to the Sports and Fitness Industry Association (SFIA), pickleball is currently the fastest growing sport in America—up 21.3% at the end of 2020. It is social, easy to learn, fun to play, accessible to all ages and a great way to be active and maintain a healthier lifestyle. The Santa Fe club intends to continue working with the City through a public-private partnership to build a larger pickleball complex with an additional 12 courts. The goal is to make Santa Fe a pickleball destination that can host tournaments while also meeting the growing needs of our local community.
“Communities all across the country are recognizing that pickleball can be a significant source of revenue from tourism. It is essential that we work with our community and non-profit groups to drive this type of public-private partnership,” said Councilor Signe Lindell, a member of the City Council’s Finance committee.
Mayor Webber agrees: “I can vouch that pickleball is good fun and good for you. It’s a game that people of any age and any level of athleticism can have a good time playing. With these new courts, Santa Fe is upping our pickleball game!”
Where: Fort Marcy Courts (upper lots), 490 Bishops Lodge Road
When: Wednesday, September 29, 3 p.m.
Who: Members of the public and the media are invited to join the Pickleball Club of Santa Fe and the ambassadors of the USAPA.
Contact: Melissa McDonald, Interim Parks Department Director; mamdonald@santafenm.gov.