Pickleball players say increased fees following renovations at Burns Road Community Center turned a pickleball hot spot into empty courts.
Pickleball players say they are being priced out of Palm Beach Gardens indoor courts
Some pickleball players are avoiding the renovated Burns Road Community Center due to increased fees and going to Jupiter and North Palm Beach
A Palm Beach Gardens community center raised pickleball fees after a $30 million renovation.Fees for nonresidents increased from $3 to $15, while resident fees rose from $2.50 to $5.Players report that the price hike has led to empty courts, with some now playing at cheaper, nearby centers.
The Burns Road Community Center in Palm Beach Gardens was an air-conditioned pickleball hot spot for players of all skill levels from around Palm Beach County before it closed for a $30 million renovation that took nearly two years.
When it reopened over the summer, the city increased the fees to play pickleball there — especially for nonresidents.
Players said non-Palm Beach Gardens residents scattered when they saw the higher prices. The nonresidents leaving led some residents to stop going, too. Some people arrived at the center ready for pickleball, only to find empty courts.
“Several times I’ve gone there and just hit the ball against the wall for a little while, hoping somebody will come in,” said 75-year-old Warren Patton of Palm Beach Gardens, who played there for about six years before fees went up. He added: “To say it’s underutilized would be a gross understatement.”
Here are five things to know about pickleball at the Burns Road Community Center:
How much did pickleball fees increase?
Before the renovations, residents paid $2.50 and nonresidents paid $3 per day to play pickleball at Burns Road Community Center.
Now, fees are $5 for residents and $15 for nonresidents.
What did the $30 million renovation include?
Parts of the community center were demolished and rebuilt.
It reopened over the summer at about 60,000 square feet — nearly 20,000 square feet bigger than its predecessor. Everything except for two gymnasiums, a kitchen wing and a locker room was scrapped and rebuilt.
Crews built multipurpose rooms, a dance studio and a kids corner on the first floor. On the second floor, there are two art rooms — complete with a kiln and pottery wheels — set away from the bustling activities on the first floor.
The new center has improved security elements, too.
What did pickleball get during the renovations?
During the renovations, the gyms were resurfaced and painted and the city purchased new pickleball nets. The multiuse gyms are intended for basketball, pickleball and other sports and activities.
Pickleball players use their own paddles and balls at the center.
How did pickleball players respond?
Some players who frequented Burns Road now play pickleball at the Jupiter Community Center, where it is free for residents and $3 for nonresidents, and the North Palm Beach Community Center, where fees are $2 for residents and $4 for nonresidents, according to the village of North Palm Beach and town of Jupiter websites.
One pickleball player said she wrote to the city council and city leisure services administrator, asking them to consider lowering the fees. Patton said he and a fellow pickleball player met with the mayor to ask the same thing.
What did the city say?
Palm Beach Gardens city officials say they raised pickleball fees at Burns Road to afford maintenance and staffing costs. Candice Temple, the city’s communications director, said the city does not plan to reduce the fees.
“There are many options in the area for people to play pickleball,” Temple said. “At Gardens, we have decided to give the discount to our residents who pay taxes.”
Maya Washburn covers northern Palm Beach County for The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida-Network. Reach her at mwashburn@pbpost.com. Support local journalism: Subscribe today.
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