Corpus Christi considers converting tennis courts for pickleball amid rising demand

Corpus Christi officials are weighing whether to convert tennis courts at Al Kruse Tennis Center for pickleball as players debate growing demand.

As pickleball continues its rapid rise in popularity, a dispute is growing over court space at the Al Kruse Tennis Center in Corpus Christi.

The city is considering converting up to two tennis courts into pickleball courts at the public facility near downtown, drawing mixed reactions from local players of both sports.

Pickleball coaches Jennifer and Billie Ryon said demand for court space has surged in recent years.

“We see 90% of the players that come in are here for pickleball,” Jennifer Ryon said. “The other 10% are there for tennis.”

The Ryons said existing pickleball courts are often filled to capacity, forcing some players to wait or leave.

“Every day, people get turned away because there’s not enough reservation spots,” Billie Ryon said. “There’s not enough court space for all the people that want to come out and play. And that’s what the public parks are for, is to provide space for community to come have fun and get some exercise.”

According to the Ryons, Al Kruse currently has 10 courts dedicated to pickleball, with four additional dedicated courts planned at Commodores Park.

But many longtime tennis players argue the proposed conversion could hurt one of Corpus Christi’s few public tennis facilities.

“That’s going to really destroy the footprint of Al Kruse,” said Ron Woods, a former college player who said he has played tennis in Corpus Christi for more than 70 years. “You need six tennis courts to run an effective tennis program.”

Woods said he supports pickleball’s growth but believes both sports can coexist without reducing tennis space at the center.

“There’s a need for pickleball,” Woods said. “I love to see people getting off the couch, getting out and playing tennis and pickleball. That’s what it’s all about. But you don’t go, basically, in my estimation, destroy a perfectly fine Tennis Center, where you can be running tennis and pickleball programs for the community. It just doesn’t make sense to me.”

In a statement to 3NEWS, the City of Corpus Christi Parks and Recreation Department said officials are still reviewing public input and evaluating the proposal.

“The City of Corpus Christi appreciates the public’s feedback on the proposed conversion of up to two tennis courts to pickleball courts at the Al Kruse Tennis Center,” the department said in a statement. “We are continuing to evaluate the best outcome for equitable access for recreational racquet sports in our community. No decision has been finalized at this time.”

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