Red Lodge Pickleball and Tennis are fundraising to improve court facilities in Red Lodge so that all can play and enjoy the sports of pickleball and tennis. This is a 2-phase project. Phase 1 will focus on renovating the existing courts in Field School Park by Fall 2025 led by Red Lodge Pickleball. Phase 2 will focus on construction of four new tennis courts in Coal Miner’s Park led by Red Lodge Tennis.
Phase 1: Red Lodge Pickleball
“Our mission is to promote and grow the sport of pickleball in our community for residents and visitors. We work to expand and improve the pickleball facilities available in Red Lodge to encourage participation and fun for all ages and skill levels.”
Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in America; growing at a rate of 50% per year over the last three years. Unfortunately, the court facilities in Red Lodge are inadequate to support such growth. Currently there are three temporary pickleball courts laid out on the existing tennis courts in Field School Park. The surface of the courts has not been redone in over twelve years, resulting in multiple cracks and uneven surfaces, which continue to deteriorate.
Tennis is growing, too and we need to improve and expand both the number of pickleball courts as well as the number of tennis courts in our community. We are working closely with the City of Red Lodge, the City Parks Board and the Red Lodge High School District to spearhead an initiative for court expansion in two phases.
Phase I will renovate the existing courts in Field School Park by Fall 2025:
- Professionally resurface the three existing courts.
- Reconfigure the court area to accommodate two tennis courts and four dedicated pickleball courts.
- Provide permanent nets for pickleball and new nets and hardware for the tennis courts.
- Paint the courts in a three-color combination.
- Add wind screens to improve the playing conditions.
Phase 2: Red Lodge Tennis
YOUR SERVE! Red Lodge Tennis needs YOU on its team.
When the temperature hits 50 degrees, the winds are under 20 m.p.h., and the three tennis courts at Field School Park in Red Lodge are snow-free, intrepid players of all ages are out there hitting. The courts are busy spring, summer, and fall with locals and visitors alike. They are a community anchor where resident tennis players gather regularly, some for decades. Newcomers make friends at the courts, and visitors leave happier and are more likely to return after the chance to play their favorite pastime.
Tennis is a sport for life. People in their 80’s are as likely to be on the courts as those in their 20s, perhaps at the same time, playing singles, doubles, and mixed matches. It’s exercise. It’s fresh air. It’s friendly competition that brings people together, and it appeals to both men and women.
There are about 21 million tennis players in the USA with participation growing at a robust 8% per year. Our community is home to tennis players of all ages and abilities, from beginners to professionals. Red Lodge regularly produces ranked players who compete in statewide, intermountain sectional, and national tournaments.
In addition, women’s tennis is a popular team sport at Red Lodge High School. The Field School Park courts are their home courts. Periodically, the Red Lodge “legends” (local players) practice with the high school team to help build skills, simulate match play, and have fun! Unfortunately, the current courts at Field School Park do not meet the standards of high school tennis nor the United States Tennis Association (USTA).
In summary, there are too few courts. The condition of the courts is not only considerably subpar but unsafe. What’s more, the courts are shared between tennis and pickleball and do not currently meet the needs of either sport and cannot handle the expected growth in both sports.
DEUCE! Time to hit an ace.
This two-Phase project is underway, supported by the City of Red Lodge and Red Lodge High School, but in need of financial support.
To recap:
- Phase I: Renovation of the current Field School Park courts to support tennis and pickleball. Time line: 1 year. Completion goal: Fall 2025. Donate to Phase 1.
- Phase II: Construction of four new tennis courts in Coal Miner’s Park, northwest of the high school. One of these courts will also accommodate pickleball.
These proposed courts will expand the facilities already located in the park, which include soccer, softball, and disc golf, while providing much needed court-space for the high school and the community.
The city has agreed to lease this land to the school district. The school district will manage and maintain the courts. The new courts will provide the needed infrastructure for our high school women’s tennis team, meaning an appropriate practice venue and the ability to host tennis meets.
The four-court facility will also be suitable for tennis camps and local USTA tournaments. Camps and tournaments bring people to Red Lodge who also take advantage of our restaurants, lodging, and shopping, generating income for local businesses.
Phase II new court construction is included in the City of Red Lodge’s City Parks 5-Year Capital Improvements Plan. The time is right to bring this exciting new asset to our community for the benefit of our high school, residents, businesses, and visitors.
Game, Set, Match!
We need your support to build the new courts in Coal Miner’s Park. Help us create this premiere recreational asset for our community.
Estimated Cost of the New Courts: $750,000
Local Fundraising Goal: $610,000
The remaining cost will be funded through a grant from the USTA. The USTA offers non-competitive grants for new courts at $35,000 per court. The USTA will also provide free of charge, venue and design services, and assistance with administrative functions such as managing the bidding process.
Local donations are critical to the success of this community project.
Donations are 100% tax deductible through the Red Lodge Area Community Foundation.
