The San Clemente City Council voted unanimously at its March 19 meeting to direct staff to create a fee schedule for usage of the eight-court pickleball facility at Richard T. Steed Memorial Park.
Samantha Wylie, Beaches, Parks and Recreation Department Director, said the item emerged as city officials discussed ways to increase revenue during a previous Long Term Financial Plan workshop. Usage fees would also contribute to sustainable management and maintenance of the facilities, she continued.
“Oftentimes, when we are faced with a new amenity that has high usage and there’s a want for its growth, looking at fees is a great way to return revenue but also look at the future potential of the sport as well,” said Wylie.
Councilmember Chris Duncan added that the fees would be a way for pickleball players to chip in, especially as all of San Clemente paid for a facility that is only used by some.
Wylie noted that the concept wasn’t unusual, citing existing fees for swimming at the Aquatics Center or usage of the Community Center. Staff also recommended an expedited process in which they can bring back a full report in April.
Charging for use of pickleball facilities is growing increasingly common across municipalities in the U.S., according to Wylie, who added that part of the fee study would include looking at other jurisdictions’ approaches and the city’s own cost-recovery needs.
Regarding how to ensure all participants are those who have paid their fees, Wylie said the facility would require a “pretty simple staffing operation” utilizing hourly and part-time employees to monitor the courts.
Mayor Pro Tem Mark Enmeier brought up a suggestion relating to participants on fixed incomes or people who are going to play on a trial basis.
“I would like to see, when you come back with your plans, maybe there’s some way to do a certain hour in the day that’s either a reduced cost or free or maybe a certain day itself,” he said. “...It’d be nice to have that as an option and then our council can decide if that is appropriate or not.”
Wylie responded positively to the idea, saying that the city’s population of older adults is important, especially as they frequently use city facilities. The future fee structure will include rates for older adults and residents, she added.
“I heed that direction from council pretty clearly, that we want to make sure that we’re not eliminating access to certain populations but fostering it,” Wylie said.
Mayor Victor Cabral also suggested staff contact local organizations with an interest in pickleball to gauge their opinions on the fee schedule.
The San Clemente City Council’s next meeting will be on Tuesday, April 16.