Sea Isle City Council Unanimously Drops Proposed Indoor Pickleball Fees

Sea Isle City Council voted unanimously to remove proposed fees for pickleball play in the city’s new community recreation center, a move that preserves free indoor court access for community center members and year-round residents. The decision follows public complaints that charging for indoor play would be unfair and out of step with neighboring towns.

The fee proposal first appeared in an ordinance introduced on Dec. 23 as Ordinance 1730 and was scheduled for a second reading, public hearing and possible adoption on Jan. 27. The city’s official message said “there will be no charge for use of indoor pickleball courts for members of the community center” and confirmed that “any property owners and any year-round residents will not be required to pay a fee for entry to the Community Center for general use.” Mayor Leonard C. Desiderio added, “As I indicated at the last Council meeting, there is language being recommended to be added to the originally introduced ordinance to ensure there is no question as to the fact that any property owners and any year-round residents will not be required to pay a fee for entry to the Community Center for general use. Also being recommended to be added is language establishing that there will be no charge for use of indoor pickleball courts for members of the community center. We heard the concerns that were expressed about this matter and agree that this is the fairest way to handle it.”

Public reaction helped shape the outcome. Three residents addressed the council to object to the proposed charges. O’Brien asked, “Why would Sea Isle charge for indoor pickleball when no one else does? It doesn’t make sense.” Resident Borysowski raised a fairness issue, saying, “It doesn’t seem fair,” after questioning why pickleball in the gym would carry a fee while basketball and volleyball on the same floor would not.

The numbers in initial reporting varied. One draft schedule listed a $5 per day option, $100 per year for year-round residents or property owners and $150 per year for non-residents; another account described membership being free for residents and property-owners while non-residents would have options of $5 per day, $40 per month or $120 per year. The council’s unanimous action and the city’s plan to add clarifying ordinance language aim to resolve those discrepancies and specify who is exempt.

The Community Center sits on the former Sea Isle City Public School site between 45th and 46th Streets, with free outdoor and garage parking and no announced grand opening date. The new indoor courts add valuable offseason capacity in a region that has lacked indoor play options. Some paid services at the center remain part of the plan: “Other costs that are expected to be a part of using the facilities at the new Community Center will include $55 per hour per group during non-peak times, and $75 per hour per group during peak times for the Golf Simulator. Also, Fitness Classes will be $5 per class, or $40 per month.”

Sea Isle’s outdoor program will continue to operate, with Marina Courts at 42nd Place and the Bay and West Jersey Avenue courts across from JFK Boulevard Park open daily 8:00am to dusk, staffed by summer Pickleball Ambassadors during morning sessions. The city also announced that “Licensing and registration fees will be waived for one year.”

Expect the city to post the finalized ordinance language and membership definitions after the council’s Jan. 27 action and to announce hours and a grand opening date for the Community Center soon. Mayor Desiderio closed the council message with a practical note: “We’ll work with our police department and city staff to educate the public about this new legislation. [...] Smile…You’re in Sea Isle!”