Pickleball Courts Expansion Approved by Community Board

In a unanimous vote last Thursday, the Community Development District Board approved a $3.2 million project to build 24 new pickleball courts across three recreation centers in The Villages. The decision comes after months of resident petitions and packed public comment sessions highlighting the sport's explosive growth.

The new courts will be split evenly between Eagle Ridge, Rohan, and the soon-to-open Truman Recreation Centers. Each location will receive eight championship-grade courts with LED lighting for evening play, spectator seating, and covered rest areas with water fountains.

Pickleball participation in The Villages has grown by over 200% in the past three years, with organized leagues now boasting more than 5,000 active members. Wait times for court reservations during peak hours have stretched to over 90 minutes at some facilities, a problem the expansion is specifically designed to address.

Construction is scheduled to begin in April, with the Eagle Ridge courts expected to open first in late July. The remaining locations should be completed by September, well in time for the fall competitive season. Residents can track construction progress through the recreation department's online portal.