Bainbridge Pickleball Players and Metro Park District Personnel Discuss the Future of Free Covered Courts

The quest for free indoor Pickleball play on the island is beginning in earnest.

At two separate meetings organized by Bainbridge Island Pickleball last weekend (Jan.10-12), local pickleballers and some representatives from the Bainbridge Metro Parks District on hand discussed what potential covered or indoor courts could offer island residents and the greater West Sound community at informational sessions held at Strawberry Hill Park .

New indoor courts are scheduled to open soon at the former Office Max and Big 5 Sporting Goods locations in Poulsbo. The new facility will be operated by Pickleball Kingdom, the world’s largest indoor Pickleball entity. Currently, there two covered Pickleball court facilities available to players on the island: The Bainbridge Island Recreation Center and the former Commodore Middle School gym. Both locales charge a fee to play.

Expansion plans are already underway for the popular Founders outdoor courts at Battle Point Park, but covered courts at that space were not as attractive as an architect’s proposal for future courts at Strawberry Hill. A portion of Strawberry Hill near High School Road could be dedicated to racquet sports.

More than 25 people attended the first of the two meetings held last Friday morning. Melissa Bang-Knutsen, Bainbridge Pickleball president, polled attendees for their preference on the number of courts that would not only satisfy the present need but also accommodate future crowds.

“A lot of people come to Bainbridge just to say they played at the home of the game,” said Clay Roberts, longtime island Pickleball leader. “So you have a significant number of players and families that continue to arrive from off-island. “It’s not as if just locals are looking for a place to play.”

Roberts said rain always becomes a topic.

“Of course, all the visitors want to know where we play when it’s wet,” Roberts said. “They are disappointed to learn we have no covered courts that are free to the public.

“We had a dad and his son arrive from the Midwest in an old white van. They waited three days to play but ran out of time. They never got it done.”

Island resident Zachary Ohnemus, an elite player and coach, said a minimum of eight courts are needed to draw top players to tournaments.

“If you have fewer courts, the top players won’t come because they will either get too few games or the tournament will drag on into the night,” Ohnemus said. “I think Bainbridge is at an advantage already because there are a number of things people can do here when they come. For example, they can come, play, and go to a wine tasting on the same day.”

Matt Keough from Bainbridge Parks mentioned that the work for the Battle Point courts expansion soon would be put out for bid. He took “goal” suggestions from attendees for the courts and recorded them on a white board. Some of the ideas include a place for community, a gathering place, a disaster hub and a place that is environmentally friendly, along with providing courts.

Bang-Knutsen said the input from the two weekend meetings would be submitted to the Park Board for further consideration.

Read more about the new indoor Pickleball facility in Poulsbo in a previous post in The Island Wanderer: https://theislandwanderer.com/story-behind-the-story-how-deal-was-sealed-for-the-emergence-of-a-new-indoor-pickleball-facility-in-poulsbo/.