Four Points of the City
Pickleball El Paso advocates for ALL pickleball players in the City of El Paso. We have a "Four Points of the City" approach to getting dedicated pickleball courts on the south side, east, northeast and west. If you are an indoor gym player keep in mind: the more people who play outdoors, the less crowded your gym will be. We all have skin in the game.
Where do we stand?
The south side has Ascarate.
We are waiting for State Parks and Wildlife to approved the City's grant request for $1m for The Beast, in the east.
On Monday Pablo Caballero, Director of Parks and Recreation, will announce the results of the City's Pickleball Facility assessment. We have been told there is no money in the budget for building a facility. However, thanks to the $75,000 donation of discretionary funds by Representative Joe Molinar a facility is planned for District 4 (north of Hondo Pass).
Skyline Park, near Loop 375 and Woodrow Bean, has two tennis courts that are planned for conversion to six pickleball (not large enough for eight). It is a beautiful park with grass, mature trees, indoor bathrooms and drinking water available. Being located near freeways aids access from all points of the city. Thank you Representative Molinar!
Now we turn our sights toward the west side of town and Mary Frances Keisling Park. In the past these construction projects have been funded through voter approved bonds, but this option may not be as viable as in the past. There is a lot of voter discontent over property taxes - see "How Other Cities Do It" below. Without funding, our plans for facilities are going nowhere. The outcome of the November election and voter response to the five County bonds will be enlightening.
Why did El Paso facilities get developed in this order? It has been completely determined by opportunity.
What have we accomplished?
What has PEPA done for the pickleball community? Organized. Advertised. Advocated. Expanded. As we approach our three year anniversary we no longer have City and County officials asking, "What is pickleball? Is it just a fad?"
Thank you members - you make this possible!
Developers are responding. Mission Ridge, a 10,000 lot Hunt development near East Lake and Emerald Park will have two private outdoor, dedicated pickleball courts. Near Horizon Mesa and Eastlake, a second park will be developed with two dedicated public courts, expected to be open in six months. This is a great way to get courts as the City does not have to come up with the funds; it is part of the park requirement for new sub-divisions.
How Do Other Cities Do It?
Building a pickleball facility, in the past, would have been funded by a voter approved bond and paid for through property tax. I have attended several councilmen/constituent meetings and there is a back-lash against property taxes. So how do other cities get funding for pickleball facilities?
Next door, New Mexico has a state income tax and they passed bonds to pay for Apodaca and East Mesa. Additionally, there is a $1 user fee for a two hour pickleball session at the only indoor gym, Meerscheidt. EVERY person who uses the gym pays a minimal fee. This generates approximately $200 - $300 per week on pickleball only. New Mexico has two revenue streams that we do not.
In Blue Ash, a suburb of Cincinnati, Ohio, residents pay State AND City income tax, along with sales tax. So I was deeply disappointed to find out that to use their city gyms you must buy a membership. I asked the gym employee what options were there for visitors. None, unless you come as a guest of a member. By contrast, visitors to El Paso can play at 15 locations for free.
Where will the money come from for new facilities? I have asked people in Albuquerque how they funded Manzano Mesa (32 courts, open for 9 years) but nobody remembers. Pass along any stories you collect in your travels.
Play happy,
Jamie Fisher
President, Pickleball El Paso Association
Comments