write a proper news story announcing the opening of these pickleball courts in Pasadena. Use the Associated Press inverted pyramid style of news writing: Pasadena is set to unveil new pickleball courts at Jefferson Elementary School, recognizing the sport's explosive growth in recent years. Pickleball, a blend of tennis, badminton, and table tennis, gained national popularity during the pandemic and boasted over 4.8 million players by the end of 2022. Local venues like McDonald and Allendale Park have struggled to meet the soaring demand, with long wait times for games. In response, the Pasadena City Council approved a contract for two temporary courts at Jefferson Elementary, operating on weekdays from 8 a.m. to dusk and weekends from 9 a.m. to dusk. Concerns regarding nighttime play and court safety were raised by residents, with suggestions to utilize existing building lights and increase court-fence separation. The project budget is capped at $169,944, inclusive of contingencies. The grand opening event is scheduled for September 29, 9:00 a.m. and is expected to draw local leaders and enthusiasts alike.


Interview with Vice Mayor Felicia Williams: 

Vice Mayor Felicia Williams (00:33):
Thank you. So the pickleball is very popular. That's a great way for people to exercise and to exercise at different abilities. So we have gotten a lot of requests for more pickleball courts in district two. We have painted lines on the basketball courts at McDonald Park, so they aren't official pickleball courts, but they can be used as pickleball courts. And Jefferson Elementary will be the first place that we have official built out pickleball courts and there'll be two courts there side by side. And it's really to get people out exercising and socializing and kind of building the community. And we've gotten a lot of requests for this.
Therese (01:13):
And when did the construction of these pickleball court started?
Vice Mayor Felicia Williams (01:21):
They started about nine months ago or so. We've been planning them for about a year and they were waiting for the pickleball court at McKinley to be finished. And then the ones in McDonald Park and then these were next on the list. So they've been in planning for about a year, but they probably started getting construction constructed a few months ago.
Therese (01:44):
And how have you observed the residents of district two responding to the introduction of pickleball facilities in their neighborhood? And perhaps an additional question or follow up question, are there a lot of residents in district too who play pickleball as well?
Vice Mayor Felicia Williams (02:04):
Yes, there are a lot of them. I've met several of them. I actually, they play at McDonald's Park I believe every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday morning. And they'll even teach you a lesson and they have equipment that they'll lend you. And so I went and I took a lesson with the pickleball ambassador, which is Mike Alvidrez, and there are also a few other people in district two that play at McDonald Park. And so this is going to be very exciting. So I'm encouraging the public to come out. If you're curious about pickleball, we will have a demonstration and you can also take a little lesson and we'll have equipment there and really get more people involved. It's a lot of fun.
Therese (02:42):
Oh, how about you Vice Mayor Williams? Are you already a regular player of pickleball?
Vice Mayor Felicia Williams (02:49):
No, I took one lesson and I played once and I just haven't been back out there, so I will be playing on Friday.
Therese (02:56):
Oh, that's nice. That's nice.
Vice Mayor Felicia Williams (02:57):
But it is a lot of fun. I have to honest with you. I wasn't that good though. Maybe that's why it was hard to go back.
Therese (03:04):
And aside from the opening, are there going to be vendors who are going to be there for those players who would like to buy new equipment and all that?
Vice Mayor Felicia Williams (03:19):
Oh no. So we won't be having that. This will just be a ribbon cutting so people can look at the courts and play on the courts and we can invite the community. But I'm going to have, and this is brand new, you're the first one to hear about it. We are having a, for our block party this year, we are having a pickleball tournament at the new Jefferson Courts on Saturday, November 4th. And we will send you guys a press release and an invite on that. But that will be a big event where the library and police and fire and boosts and information, flu shots and covid shots. So we'll do the whole thing there. But this is just to cut the ribbon. And for the pickleball tournament in November, it will be a community team versus the internationally renowned fire department team. So fire has some professional pickleball players and they're going to be playing some members of the community. It's going to be really fun.


EVENT HISTORY/ BACKGROUND:

Event Details:
Date and Time: Friday, September 29, 9:00 a.m.
Location: Jefferson Elementary School, 1500 Villa Street, Pasadena
Event: Opening of Pickleball Courts in Jefferson Elementary School
Pickleball's Popularity:
Pickleball is a recreational racquet sport that has gained immense popularity in recent years, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
It is described as a blend of tennis, badminton, and table tennis.
Between 2019 and 2021, pickleball was the fastest-growing sport in the United States, with more than 4.8 million players by the end of 2022.
Local Demand for Pickleball Courts:
The growing popularity of pickleball has led to increased demand for courts.
Locations like McDonald and Allendale Park have experienced large crowds, especially on weekend mornings, with wait times of up to half an hour for a game.
City's Response:
The Pasadena City Council approved a contract to build two temporary pickleball courts on Jefferson Elementary School's campus.
The school is leased to the city for library, police, and fire department programs until November 2027.
The courts will be open from 8 a.m. to dusk on weekdays and from 9 a.m. to dusk on weekends.
Concerns Raised:
Some residents, like Bruce Bailey, have expressed concerns about the lack of lighting on the new courts, limiting playtime.
Bailey recommended conducting a survey among nearby residents to gauge their objections to keeping the courts open after dark.
Suggestions were made to use existing lights on the roof of the building and to increase the space between the court and the fence for player safety.
Project Cost:
The project for the Jefferson School Pickleball Courts is budgeted to cost no more than $169,944.
This includes a base contract amount of $147,777 and a contingency cost of $22,167 to accommodate any necessary site changes.
Grand Opening Event:
The newspaper invites readers to join local leaders for the grand opening of the new pickleball courts at Jefferson Elementary School, scheduled for September 29, 9:00 a.m.
This information provides a comprehensive overview of the upcoming pickleball court opening event and the background of pickleball's popularity and demand in Pasadena.

Jefferson Elementary School
1500 E Villa St, Pasadena, CA 91106, USA
(626) 396-5710
www.pusd.us
Come play pickleball at Jefferson Elementary School in Pasadena, CA! There are 2 outdoor concrete courts. The lines are permanent, and portable nets are available. You can’t reserve the courts. Players have access to restrooms. The courts are free.

In NOvember 2022, Recreation and Parks Commissioners unanimously voted in favor of the concept design for two temporary pickleball courts proposed for Jefferson Elementary School. 


The city pays $100,000 per year for the lease of the Jefferson Elementary School grounds from Pasadena Unified School District for Library, Police and Fireepartment programs through November 2027.