A new 24-court pickleball complex is coming to LCC’s main campus amid the pickleball craze sweeping the nation.
Article by Sequoia Hall
There is a pickleball complex coming to the Lane Community College campus, which will have 24 courts and be open to the public. It will be located right next to the new baseball field that is currently being put in.
“I play pickleball tournaments across the Pacific Northwest and beyond. Lots of people have expressed interest by seeing us through the social media posts and stuff like that,” said Eric Wold, secretary of the Emerald Valley Pickleball Foundation Board of Directors. Wold is also a pro pickleball player for the Seattle United Pickleball Club in the NPL (National Pickleball League).
The Emerald Valley Pickleball Foundation is a nonprofit foundation started in 2021 that has campaigned and raised money for the building of the courts. Eugene has a thriving pickleball scene that is continuing to grow. The problem has been that there are not enough courts for all who want to play, leading to long wait times to even get one game, and then you need to wait again if you want to play.
The Emerald Valley Pickleball club has over 800 members, according to the club, and they have been a big supporter of the complex. Right now, they play at courts all across Eugene, but there is a lack of courts, and they are spread across the city, so you have to wait in lines and reserve the courts ahead of time.
There is no facility fit for a tournament here. For now, all tournaments have been held in either Bend or Beaverton. The hope is that people in the Eugene area will not have to travel as far, and more tournaments can be held.
“Everywhere I go, people are asking about it,” Wold said. The main goal is to give more access to existing pickleball players and create more opportunities for people coming into the sport. The courts will be up to the national standard, so local and national tournaments could be played there. There will always be four courts available to the public at all times for free (save major tournaments).
The complex is open during LCC campus hours. The money from renting out the courts to tournaments and other pickleball-related groups will go directly back into the complex for maintenance and cleaning. When the construction is done, it will be owned by LCC.
The Torch was told the complex is being built by the same company that is currently building the baseball field, but the school was not able to confirm that information before print.
The location is excellent because pickleball can be loud, and if it’s in neighborhoods, it can be a cumbersome burden to listen to. So, having it be on campus, not near anybody’s residence, will fix that problem.
There will be 10 courts that are covered for play when the inevitable Eugene rain hits, and all will have lights, so light will not be an issue. The complex will be wheelchair accessible, and they are planning on having benches, water fountains, and restrooms if all funding is granted.
The foundation’s goal is to raise $5 million for the complex. They plan to build the complex in one installment if all funding is received. “The tentative plan was to get half from public funding and half from private, so far we are doing well,” Wold said.
They have raised the money through generous donations from Eugene sources like Travel Lane County and through private donations from local supporters. They have also received money from Lane County, and $500,000 in 2022 from a Lane County vote to grant the tax levy for the complex. “The board of directors is the main driver of the complex, but the Emerald Valley Pickleball club is the main driver of public interest,” Wold said.
The complex, being on school grounds and owned by the school, makes it a great activity for students and staff. “Yes, most definitely, just from what I’ve seen, there is a huge pickleball craze going around,” said ‘25-‘26 school year LCC Student Body President Amelia Hampton on whether students will like the new facility.
There is also the opportunity to have classes and/or a school pickleball team. Other community colleges have done this with success, like Linn-Benton, Southwestern Oregon, and Rogue Community College. This would add to the already many recreational activities on the LCC campus. “The opportunity came about when we learned from Linn-Benton CC, where they had a similar thing that worked out well,” Wold said.
Pickleball is rising in popularity because of how easy it is to play and how non-demanding it is physically. It’s a game people of all ages can enjoy and succeed at. You do not need lots of equipment, only paddles, a ball, and a court. It is like tennis without the running and the big courts; it’s consolidated and is more like a big ping-pong game. It’s fun and can range from casual to ultra-competitive tournaments. It is also a great way to get your exercise in while doing something considered fun. “It’s exciting to have it on campus because pickleball is the fastest growing sport within the 20-30 year old community,” Wold said.
Right now, they have successfully raised $2.3 million and have $2.5 million pending, according to Wold. There will be additional funds that need to be raised still. “Our hope is that we have the funds to begin construction in April,” Wold said. The goal, according to the website, is to start in April 2026 and finish by October 2026, which would mean a pickleball complex in a little more than a year. To donate or find out more information on the pickleball complex and the Emerald Valley Pickleball Foundation, visit their website, EVpickleballfoundation.com. Till the complex is finished, make sure to get your practice in so you’re prepared for the new courts. Don’t forget to keep your paddles swinging!
