Recreation: New Pickleball Courts coming to Mapleton

The sport of pickleball has seen an enormous surge in popularity during recent years, and Mapleton City is beginning a project that will provide local residents with much more access to the sport.

Construction began March 22 on 14 new pickleball courts to be located at the northeast corner of Ira Allan Sports Park at 1728 S. 800 West. The new Ira Allan Pickleball Complex will feature lighting for all courts, shaded benches for spectators, drinking fountains and even charging stations.

The project will also include construction of a futsal court, a game similar to soccer.

“Based on all of our research and looking at surrounding cities around us, we decided this was going to be the best fit for that property,” said Logan Miner, interim recreation director at Mapleton City.

The Sports & Fitness Industry Association reported that in 2018, there were 3.1 million active pickleball players in the United States. In 2020, the same organization reported there were 4.2 million active players in the country, an increase of 21.3 percent.

Many Utah County communities have made pickleball courts part of their recreational offerings in recent years. Mapleton City built two pickleball courts as part of the new Maple Grove Park and the tennis courts at Mapleton City Park have been painted to show pickleball court lines, but it hasn’t been enough to meet local demand for the sport.

Miner said he believes pickleball’s popularity stems from the opportunity it presents for all ages and skill levels to play together. The sport can be competitive or simply recreational, and the small courts allow participants to socialize while they play.

“I think it’s just the broad perspective that brings everybody in and provides recreation and a little bit of physical activity,” Miner said.

The new courts should be finished in time for the city to host a pickleball tournament during its 24th of July celebration this year. There are plans to create a city pickleball program for youth and adults with a variety of tournaments.

Creating a futsal court at Ira Allen Sports Park seemed a good fit as the park was envisioned to serve as a multipurpose sports park. The park already has four baseball/softball fields and room for as many as 20 soccer games at once. Also, a new playground was added to Ira Allan park last spring near where the pickleball and futsal courts will be located.

Futsal courts are smaller than traditional soccer fields, and the game is played with a regular soccer ball. The sport’s hard court will be usable for more time during the year than grass fields.

“We’re hopeful that we can run a city futsal league but also have it open for the public,” Miner said.

The cost of the new court complex is $1.78 million, with part of that cost covered by a Utah Land and Water Conservation Fund Matching Grant obtained through the Utah State Parks organization.

Miner expressed thanks to the Mapleton City Council and mayor for supporting the project. “This will be a good asset for our community, and that couldn’t be possible without their support,” he said.