Palm Springs’ Pickleball Expansion: More Courts, More Concerns

Palm Springs is moving forward with a $6 million expansion of its pickleball courts at Demuth Park, aiming to double the number of courts from 12 to 24 while adding a tournament-level, ADA-accessible court, better lighting, shade structures, and other amenities. The project, expected to start in April 2025, has been met with excitement—but also frustration from local players worried about the temporary court closures during the eight-month construction period. Officials assure the community that the plan is progressing, though not as fast as some had hoped.

Concerns stem from a lack of communication about the timeline and temporary court options. Many players feel left in the dark since the departure of the former Parks and Recreation director, fueling rumors and uncertainty. At a recent city meeting, officials pledged to improve transparency, suggesting regular updates on the city website and at the courts themselves to keep players informed. While some hoped for a phased approach that would allow partial play during construction, city engineers determined it would prolong the project by nearly a year and a half, leading officials to opt for a complete shutdown and faster turnaround instead.

If approved by the City Council on Feb. 13, the bidding process will begin the following week, and construction will wrap up by early 2026. In the meantime, players will have to find alternative courts—a challenge in a city where demand for pickleball is skyrocketing. Whether Palm Springs can keep its dedicated players satisfied during the wait remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: pickleball’s growth isn’t slowing down anytime soon.