‘Go big or go home’: Council approves $6.15 million pickleball complex in south Wichita

The Wichita City Council has allocated $6.15 million for a state-of-the-art pickleball complex at South Lakes Park, paving the way for completion by February 2024.

The 24-court facility, which will cost more than twice what was initially approved in 2021, was approved 7-0 after Bryan Frye’s motion to delay a vote until June failed.

“USA Pickleball is hugely excited about this,” Parks Director Troy Houtman said.

“They really want to use this site as a showcase.”

Houtman told the council he misspoke at last week’s agenda review meeting when he said the city hadn’t analyzed revenue projections for the pickleball palace. He said the consultant estimated that a 12-court facility — half the size of what was just greenlit — would generate $205,800 annually.

“With 24 courts, it would definitely double that,” Houtman said, referring to the earlier projection. He later reiterated that he’s confident the facility will be profitable.

“We have so many needs in Wichita that I hear when I go to neighborhood groups that I really think, to taxpayers — I’m just being honest — this looks frivolous and this looks unstudied and unprepared for the expansion,” Celeste Racette, Save Century II founder, said during public comments.

The higher price point is due in part to increased materials and construction costs.

Mayor Brandon Whipple, who is running for re-election against both Frye and Racette, bristled at the insinuation that additional spending on the project is an irresponsible use of public funds.

“Frankly, we don’t do enough investment in south Wichita, and when we do, it’s heavily criticized by onlookers,” Whipple said.

Patti Mackey, a Wichita ambassador with the USA Pickleball Association, applauded the council for supporting the project.

“I heard one of you guys say ‘Go big or go home,’ and that’s really the deal,” Mackey said. “You’ve got to have a large facility that is going to bring in all of that large talent.

“You can’t have six courts, twelve courts. You’ve got to have twenty, twenty-four courts if you’re going to bring them in and get return on your money.”

Houtman said the city has calculated that people who come from out of town for tournaments spend an average of $120 a day and that a two-day tournament generates roughly $48,000 in economic impact. He said he expects the South Lakes complex to host four to five major tournaments a year.

Public court rentals will be similar in cost to the $4-$8 per hour at Riverside Park’s pickleball facilities.

The expanded plan, which includes lighting for half of the courts, a clubhouse and family bathrooms and changing rooms, has already been approved by the park board and design commission.

The $6.15 million plan does not include funding for a potential future phase that would include indoor courts.

This story was originally published April 18, 2023 at 1:16 PM.