Pickleball forced to quiet down at Bobby Riggs in Encinitas
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A popular pickleball facility in Encinitas is making its courts quieter after noise complaints led to a notice of a city code violation that's threatening its operation.
Why it matters: The fast-growing sport has prompted recreational turf wars and neighborhood feuds that are forcing cities across the county to grapple with how to regulate pickleball venues.
Catch up quick: Over the past decade, Bobby Riggs Racket and Paddle Club has converted its seven tennis courts into 22 pickleball courts, making it one of the largest venues in San Diego county.
- After receiving noise, traffic and parking complaints last summer, Encinitas officials determined the club violated city code related to excessive noise and permitting, and issued warnings and fines when those issues weren't adequately addressed.
- About two weeks ago, the club was also told not to operate more than seven courts until the proper permit or application is approved.
- The club's owner Steve Dawson shut down most of his courts to comply, but has since reopened them with new rules to reduce sound.
Driving the news: Dozens of pickleball players sent public comments and attended an Encinitas City Council meeting last week advocating for the facility to stay open at full capacity.
- Supporters talked about its physical and mental health benefits, local economic impact and the community it provides while filling the local demand for pickleball courts.
- Others shared complaints about music along with noisy paddles and balls from morning until night.
- The city manager said at the meeting that staff are working with Dawson to update his permitting and address the noise.
The latest: Dawson is focused on fixing the noise problem at the neighborhood complex.
- At its 18 courts near homes, players must use quiet paddles, which he bought and supplies for free.
- Four other courts further from homes and near the main road are operating normally.
Threat level: "If I stay with seven courts, I might as well go out of business," Dawson told Axios.
- "I want to help the neighbors and their plight to enjoy their property; I want to help the community by keeping Riggs open and make the city look great with the results and outcome of this project," Dawson said.
Zoom in: Dawson is collecting bids to build sound barrier walls and players will only be allowed to use quiet paddles on most courts until those are installed.
- He plans to start construction within 90 days and hopes by summer the facility will operate at full capacity with players using any paddle. Dawson estimates the project will cost between $50,000-$200,000.
The big picture: San Diego has more courts than any other California city, but it's not a national leader in terms of places to play.
- With 7.2 pickleball courts per capita in 2023, San Diego ranked 30th among big U.S. cities.
- There are dozens of free, public indoor and outdoor courts at city parks and recreation centers and about 100 locations around the county.
- Private clubs like Bobby Riggs, Barnes Tennis Center in Point Loma, The Hub in Spring Valley and Chira Tennis Academy in Poway operate the county's largest facilities, and are pay to play.