New courts – mostly pickleball – will replace aging Miller Park facility

The Eden Prairie City Council on Tuesday, Feb. 20, decided to replace aging basketball and tennis courts at Miller Park with $2 million worth of new outdoor courts, mostly for the sport of pickleball.

Why it matters: Tuesday’s move shelves longtime plans for an indoor facility at Miller Park for pickleball and tennis – a concept that had grown in price to nearly $14 million. The city’s revised approach, however, means pickleball players in winter will increasingly need to use privately-owned facilities, which typically require memberships or higher user fees than a city would charge.

The new courts to be built this year at Miller Park include eight for pickleball, one for tennis, and one for basketball, plus nearby seating.

In opting for outdoor courts, the city cited the high cost of building an indoor facility and the growth of many nearby, privately owned indoor pickleball courts. This includes a dedicated indoor and outdoor pickleball facility that Life Time is opening next to its Chanhassen fitness club in April.

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However, the council asked city staff to monitor use of the new pickleball courts and also track how the city’s per-capita number of pickleball courts – soon to be a total of 30, with the new facility – compares to what exists in nearby suburbs. The goal is to watch for trends and provide enough courts for growing use by Eden Prairie residents, but not so many as to become a magnet for huge numbers of out-of-town players.

“I don’t mind (Eden Prairie) being a draw sometimes,” said Mayor Ron Case. “But I want to make sure we’re serving our residents well.”

Here’s what else you need to know about the city council’s action Tuesday:

• The new courts will be lighted for evening use.
• Their location is near the Miller Park playground but far from homes whose residents would be annoyed by the pop-pop-pop sound of paddles hitting the ball.
• The debate over indoor vs. outdoor pickleball courts has been lengthy, with the subject coming up in three city council workshops over the past six months.
• Council members said city staff should also consider how courts are programmed for use since pickleball’s rapid growth has created a gap – and occasional disagreement – between beginning players and veteran players trying to use the same courts.

Construction of the new courts is expected to begin this spring.