Thanks to everyone who visited this site, shared ideas, and filled out the questionnaire. To your right in the "Documents" tab, you will find the questionnaire results that have been tabulated from 125 participants. Below is an updated letter posted on March 10, 2023. Feel free to email anyone on the "Who's Listening" tab if you have questions for City staff.
Dear Aspen Pickleball and Tennis Community,
We are writing to give you an update on the Iselin Courts improvement project.
To date, we have accomplished several key tasks to move from ideation to implementation on this project.
- Our contracted design and engineering team has been working diligently and we are now approaching the final stages of permit level drawings, with the final construction documentation to follow.
- The City has been working on securing land use approval that requires review by both the City Council and Planning and Zoning.
Although we had initially hoped to begin construction this year, we have decided to move the construction timeline to 2024 for several reasons.
Firstly, there is a shortage of contractors with the availability to take on a complex project like the Iselin Courts. Waiting until 2024 will help us secure the right contractor for the job.
Secondly, due to challenging soil conditions and thoughtful recommendations from our city engineering team, some rework of the site engineering was required. While this has taken some extra time, it will result in a better project.
Lastly, the land use approval process is complex and requires the review and approval of City Council and Planning and Zoning. These steps are critical and must be completed correctly, which takes time.
While the construction timeline has been moved to 2024, the Aspen Pickleball and Tennis Community will be able to continue to enjoy their season and existing amenities. For questions and comments, please reach out to Erin Hutchings, Operations Manager, City of Aspen Recreation, erin.hutchings@aspen.gov or 970-544-4105.
Thank you for being part of the pickleball and tennis communities.
What is Pickleball
Pickleball is a court sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton and table tennis. The game is played on a surface one-third the size of a regulation tennis court, with a net lowered to 34 inches. Players use a paddle and a polymer ball, similar to a wiffleball.
The game was established in 1965, and because of the fast-past, yet strategic nature, it appeals to a wide range of ages and abilities. The game has grown exponentially across North America in recent years. In their 2019 Topline Participation Report, the Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) estimated there are now over 3.3 million pickleball players in the US! (Source)
Pickleball in Aspen
In 2016, because of the popularity and community desire, the City of Aspen converted one of the tennis courts next to Iselin field to 4 pickleball courts. Due to space constraints, the courts do not meet regulation size. The 4 courts are very popular and heavily utilized and demand for regulation courts has been a top priority for the Aspen pickleball community. The City of Aspen is poised to improve the courts with a renovation project to address structural flooring damage, court regulation standards, and other facility related issues.
In 2018 and 2019, the Recreation department offered both winter indoor pickleball and summer programmed pickleball to meet the growing demand.
Based on resources and community feedback, in 2020 the department reduced programmed and offered the courts to the public as a first come, first serve active space for the community to use for free.
In 2021, the department has had a mix of the clinic, private rental, tournament, and semi-organized pickleball days on the 4 courts.
The Iselin Court renovation project is in the Recreation department's long-range plan, which is supported by City leadership and City Council. Public engagement in 2021 will help the City better understand what the community desires for this project, which will lead to initial designs in late fall and early winter this year. The 2022 capital budget is in process and the completed design will go in front of the City Council in the fall for approval.
Tell Us What You Think
Please fill out our questionnaire below, share your ideas, and ask a question if you have one for City staff.
Thanks to everyone who visited this site, shared ideas, and filled out the questionnaire. To your right in the "Documents" tab, you will find the questionnaire results that have been tabulated from 125 participants. Below is an updated letter posted on March 10, 2023. Feel free to email anyone on the "Who's Listening" tab if you have questions for City staff.
Dear Aspen Pickleball and Tennis Community,
We are writing to give you an update on the Iselin Courts improvement project.
To date, we have accomplished several key tasks to move from ideation to implementation on this project.
- Our contracted design and engineering team has been working diligently and we are now approaching the final stages of permit level drawings, with the final construction documentation to follow.
- The City has been working on securing land use approval that requires review by both the City Council and Planning and Zoning.
Although we had initially hoped to begin construction this year, we have decided to move the construction timeline to 2024 for several reasons.
Firstly, there is a shortage of contractors with the availability to take on a complex project like the Iselin Courts. Waiting until 2024 will help us secure the right contractor for the job.
Secondly, due to challenging soil conditions and thoughtful recommendations from our city engineering team, some rework of the site engineering was required. While this has taken some extra time, it will result in a better project.
Lastly, the land use approval process is complex and requires the review and approval of City Council and Planning and Zoning. These steps are critical and must be completed correctly, which takes time.
While the construction timeline has been moved to 2024, the Aspen Pickleball and Tennis Community will be able to continue to enjoy their season and existing amenities. For questions and comments, please reach out to Erin Hutchings, Operations Manager, City of Aspen Recreation, erin.hutchings@aspen.gov or 970-544-4105.
Thank you for being part of the pickleball and tennis communities.
What is Pickleball
Pickleball is a court sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton and table tennis. The game is played on a surface one-third the size of a regulation tennis court, with a net lowered to 34 inches. Players use a paddle and a polymer ball, similar to a wiffleball.
The game was established in 1965, and because of the fast-past, yet strategic nature, it appeals to a wide range of ages and abilities. The game has grown exponentially across North America in recent years. In their 2019 Topline Participation Report, the Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) estimated there are now over 3.3 million pickleball players in the US! (Source)
Pickleball in Aspen
In 2016, because of the popularity and community desire, the City of Aspen converted one of the tennis courts next to Iselin field to 4 pickleball courts. Due to space constraints, the courts do not meet regulation size. The 4 courts are very popular and heavily utilized and demand for regulation courts has been a top priority for the Aspen pickleball community. The City of Aspen is poised to improve the courts with a renovation project to address structural flooring damage, court regulation standards, and other facility related issues.
In 2018 and 2019, the Recreation department offered both winter indoor pickleball and summer programmed pickleball to meet the growing demand.
Based on resources and community feedback, in 2020 the department reduced programmed and offered the courts to the public as a first come, first serve active space for the community to use for free.
In 2021, the department has had a mix of the clinic, private rental, tournament, and semi-organized pickleball days on the 4 courts.
The Iselin Court renovation project is in the Recreation department's long-range plan, which is supported by City leadership and City Council. Public engagement in 2021 will help the City better understand what the community desires for this project, which will lead to initial designs in late fall and early winter this year. The 2022 capital budget is in process and the completed design will go in front of the City Council in the fall for approval.
Tell Us What You Think
Please fill out our questionnaire below, share your ideas, and ask a question if you have one for City staff.
