The new courtsat LBCC were open Saturday, but no one was playing when I went to see them.
Two years after the Albany City Council approved their construction, new pickleball courts at Linn-Benton Community College are ready for play. While the college still has a sign saying the campus is closed to public use, City Manager Peter Troedsson says the courts are open.
“The repair work is completed and the courts are now open,” Troedsson told the council in his Friday report. I took a look at the place Saturday, as this video shows.
The Albany Parks and Recreation Department paid North Santiam Paving about $330,000 from city systems development charges to build the courts on the site where the college tennis courts used to be. Under a city-college agreement, the courts are to be available to the public for free play when they’re not needed for college classes.
(Several stories on this site give more background. Just put “pickleball” in the search field.)
The parks department seems to have made an agreement with the Albany Pickleball Club allowing the club to reserve some or all of the courts on three weekday mornings and two weekday afternoons. A sign on the fence also says something about people being charged for “facilitated play” there, whatever that means.
Albany also has pickleball courts at Hackleman Park.
Three more images of the new facilities at LBCC: (hh)
The times when the courts are reserved, and there something about people paying to play there.
These look like playpens for the toddler grandkids of pickleball players. But probably not.
Despite what it says about being closed, the lock and chain on the gate were undone.
Let the Pickles FLY!!!!!
Very few things in life scream “systemic racism’ and “white privilege” and “special interest” than political decisions that have a disparate racial impact and outcome.
The city council’s decision to spend $330,000 to build Pickleball courts are a prime example.
Why not basketball courts?
Thanks for the article Hasso. Please note that there were players at the courts on Saturday morning. Not sure what time you were there. Just like any sport, people don’t fill the courts at all hours. Yesterday (Monday morning) we had all 8 dedicated courts going for a while. I think LBCC just neglected to remove the closed sign.
The Albany Pickleball Club (albanypickleball.com) welcomes anyone and everyone to come down and play. Especially during our club reserved times. Pickleball is easy to learn for all ages, very fun to play and very social. We love to have fun while we play! You will be hooked in no time!!! We have extra paddles to play with and someone will teach you the rules and how to play. We will have beginner clinics at various times throughout the season. Watch for announcements and look for postings at the courts. Our club hours are M/W/F 9-12, T/Th 12-3, Friday 6-9 (advanced Play!) and Sun 2-5. Even during club times, there are always several courts available for the public to just “drop in” and play.
By the way Hasso, you must not have MISSED the Court Rules posted which says No Bicycles on the courts. Even if you are reporting for the good of the people.
Well ding dong, the courts are open! Such a waste of public tax dollars in these times of “constraints” on tax dollars owing to wasteful spending! Great place for a “HOMELESS” CAMP!