Westminster’s Tony Lam Park is slated to see eight new pickleball courts get built after city officials noted a high demand for places to play the increasingly popular sport.
It comes as Orange County has seen a boom in pickleball courts in recent years — with some cities overhauling existing parks to make way for the new courts.
While more people have been flocking to pickleball, the sport has also produced noise complaints from residents who live near the courts — especially in Laguna Beach.
[Read: What’s the Best Approach to Pickleball Courts in Orange County?]
Similar to other cities, Westminster officials are planning to overhaul two tennis courts into four courts each. This decision was made by city council members after two community outreach meetings, where they discussed safety, potential hours of operation and other guidelines of use with residents.
“For this [project], I want to thank staff,” Mayor Chi Charlie Nguyen said at the Feb. 25 meeting. “[There] has been positively overwhelming support for this initiative.”
Editors’ Note: This dispatch is part of the Voice of OC Collegiate News Service, working with student journalists to cover public policy issues across Orange County. If you would like to submit your own student media project related to Orange County civics or if you have any response to this work, contact admin@voiceofoc.org.
This isn’t the first time Westminster leaders have looked to create additional pickleball space.
The decision to move forward with the new courts is preceded by two abandoned attempts to construct courts at two other parks, including Westminster Court and Bowling Green Park, which did not move past the initial planning stage due to community opposition.
However, Tony Lam Park received more support, according to city staff.
According to a residential survey, over half of residents polled are in support of the court conversion plan.
Seeing this feedback, Westminster’s Parks and Recreation Commissioners approved a plan for the courts at their meeting on Jan. 13 before it reached city council consideration.
“This is a great thing in our city,” Councilmember Amy Phan West said at the February meeting. “This is the best thing to do with this park. I know the community is going to love it.”
Phan West also pointed out that more activity at Tony Lam Park may aid in decreasing homeless encampments, which according to her, are common in the area.
She also said that the construction of the pickleball courts are in the best interests of her constituents.
“Less homeless around is perfect for the community,” she said.
Some cities, such as La Palma and Newport Beach, have also seen new pickleball court projects in the past few years.
[Read: OC Pickleball Courts Swell to Meet Demand]
In the upcoming months, Westminster city staff have outlined plans to move forward with finalizing terms of use and time limits for the courts.
Staff members are expected to open a bidding process for a consultant to propose design options to move forward with the conversion.