South Whidbey Parks and Recreation Considers Renting New Pickleball Courts

South Whidbey Parks and Recreation District commissioners are weighing whether allowing the rental of pickleball courts would be a boon to the budget or limit the public’s access after the district received its first request to rent the courts, specifically for a birthday party. The six new outdoor courts opened in November 2025 at the South Whidbey Sports Complex, and commissioners say a policy decision could affect summer use.

At a commission meeting last week Executive Director Brian Tomisser told commissioners the district will need to create a policy, either for or against rentals, and that he could see “the extra revenue being helpful.” Tomisser said the district could see how the courts are used “over the next six months” before making a decision, and he acknowledged he “had the same initial reaction as Jokinen.” He added, “Maybe the right answer is, let’s get through summer.”

Commissioner Erik Jokinen framed the access concerns in personal terms, saying he “had a personal guttural reaction to the notion of renting what is meant to be public space.” Jokinen elaborated on equity and upbringing: “I was a kid who loved park and recreation opportunities. I didn’t have money. It wasn’t rented. I want people to be able to play when they can play.”

Facility and maintenance timing also factored into discussion. Commissioners noted the six courts will receive sports court surfacing in May, or sooner if there is a long stretch of dry, favorable weather, which could affect how and when rentals might be scheduled or what activities are appropriate before surfacing is complete.

Policy options under consideration remain narrow and operational. Tomisser suggested that if rentals are permitted, the district allow “no more than two courts” to be rented at a time. Commissioner Matt Simms recommended establishing known party windows “on the fringes of when heavy usage occurs,” and warned the district will face the same issue “when the new pool opens next year, regarding establishing certain windows of time for parties.” Commissioner Jake Grevé said he “didn’t love the idea of blocking out the courts,” but agreed with Simms that it “makes sense to see when prime times and slow times.”

Commissioners did not adopt a policy at the meeting and signaled they will observe actual use patterns before acting. With a first rental request already recorded and surfacing planned for May, the district’s next months of court activity are likely to shape whether rentals move forward and under what limits.