NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – It’s a growing national craze, including in New Mexico. Pickleball is taking off across Albuquerque and Rio Rancho, with both city governments and private businesses investing millions into the sport.
“Pickleball has come, and it is not going away. Pickleball is here to stay,” said Deputy Director David Flores, City of Albuquerque’s Parks and Recreation Department.
The city showed KRQE News 13 on Wednesday their latest pickleball investment at Wells Park near downtown. The three dedicated courts will be opening soon, and the city said it’s just the beginning. “This is a very energized community, and we’re energized. We’re building, maintaining, and looking to not stop,” said Flores.
Albuquerque Parks and Recreation said their biggest court is at Manzano Mesa near Eubank Blvd. and Southern Blvd. The city has 45 pickleball-only courts and more than 50 courts striped for multiple sports across 14 parks.
On the Westside, there are eight more courts under construction at Ventana Ranch Park. “Pickleball is across the country now. It’s everywhere. It’s in all different places and through all backgrounds. We’re looking to capture on that and spread that throughout the city,” added Flores.
The interest is also booming in Rio Rancho, where the City of Vision has nearly 20 courts for pickleball. However, it’s not just the local government making courts.
Defined Fitness is getting ready to open an indoor pickleball facility near Intel. The private business said their goal is for people to be able to play no matter the weather.
They’re planning a July 1 opening with 18 indoor courts, a café, and lessons. They said membership at the gym isn’t required to play. The owners said the court’s flooring is specially designed to be softer on players’ joints.
The facility hopes to host tournaments, aiming to make New Mexico a destination for pickleball players regionally and nationwide. “It seems like everybody has pickleball fever,” said Co-Owner of Defined Pickleball Leigh Ann Blanchard. “It’s addictive. You can take it to another level. People get more competitive because it’s hard to stop playing because it’s just so much fun.”
