Denver submits plans for a pickleball court in the heart of downtown
Right now, it's an empty spot outside Civic Center Station, but if all goes to plan, the space will turn into six pickleball courts by next year.
DENVER (KDVR) -- In between two busy intersections outside Civic Center Station lies an empty lot -- but if all goes to plan, the space will turn into a pickleball court by next year.
The lot on Broadway and W. Colfax Avenue has been empty for years. The Regional Transportation District, which currently leases the lot, said many have unsuccessfully tried over the years to rebuild the lot.
The lot has remained empty, as the short remaining term of the lease, drainage requirements and parking on the intersection make the lot a hard space to fill, according to RTD. However, for the past 18 months, RTD said the City and County of Denver are trying again.
Building a pickleball court in downtown Denver
According to Evan Dreyer with the City and County of Denver, the idea to replace the lot at Broadway and Colfax Avenue has been in the works for about a year.
Dreyer said it all started when the city was working to address safety issues on the intersection of Broadway and Colfax and what the city could do to bring more positive activation to the area. After ideas ranging from an urban garden to a food truck port, participants of a vision session landed on one of Denver's favorite sports: Pickleball.
The concept, submitted to the planning department a few weeks ago, includes six courts, fencing, plants, and a kiosk, among other features. Here's what the space could look like:
Despite the troubles of the location and being in the center of downtown, it turned out to be the perfect spot for pickleball. Dreyer said parking shouldn't be an issue, as he expects many people will walk or scooter from work to play pickleball. Meanwhile, as for the busy location, it may actually help with the game.
Denver and surrounding areas face ongoing complaints of the noise of pickleball, with some tennis courts in the area banning the sport. Dreyer said they expect the hustle and bustle of the city to drown out the noise.
Next steps for downtown Denver pickleball court
While the plan was submitted, Dreyer said it just gives an idea of the project and there are still many aspects up in the air. Dreyer said the project still needs to figure out aspects of the court, with one of the biggest issues being that the lot is on a slant and is often used for storm drainage.
The idea would most likely have to go through several departments, figure out a budget and many more processes, but Dreyer hopes to have people on the court by next fall.
Even if the pickleball court is built, it's part of a short-term plan. Dreyer said the Regional Transportation District has long-term expansion plans, and the court would only be around for initially three to five years.
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