Altus opens three new public pickleball courts at Reservoir site

Altus just added a practical new place to play: three public pickleball courts at the Altus Reservoir, officially open for daylight use and set up for everyone from first-timers to seasoned regulars. The location near the Water Department turns the reservoir into more than a scenic stop. It is now a usable court site for anyone looking for an outdoor run without signing up for a private club.

The courts sit on an outdoor hard surface with painted pickleball lines and a regulation-height net, and the city says access is generally first come, first served unless a City program or special event has the space reserved. Players need to bring their own paddles and balls unless they are taking part in a city program that provides equipment. That makes the courts especially useful for casual play, family outings and anyone who wants to show up, warm up and get on court without much planning.

The timing matters. Altus opened the courts as summer break begins, when demand for cheap outdoor recreation tends to climb and local courts can get crowded fast. Three dedicated courts at a public site should help spread out play, shorten waits and create more chances for drop-in games. Even better for the long haul, the city says evening play will come once light poles are installed, which would extend the usable hours beyond daylight and give working players more flexibility.

Altus Rotary Club No. 1724 helped make the project possible, giving the courts a community-backed feel rather than a purely municipal one. The city has framed the Altus Reservoir Project as a long-term effort to maintain and improve the area for both water supply and public recreation, so the new pickleball setup fits into a broader investment in the site rather than standing alone as a one-off amenity.

Altus Parks and Recreation says lessons, beginner clinics, leagues and special events are available through the department and PlayAltus.com, and its athletics pages now list pickleball among the city’s adult-league offerings. That matters in a state where pickleball is no longer fringe: USA Pickleball’s 2025 growth report says the Pickleheads database grew to 18,258 locations nationwide and 82,613 known courts, while the Sports & Fitness Industry Association says 24.3 million Americans played in 2025. In that context, Altus is not chasing a fad. It is meeting demand with three courts that change who can play, where they can play and how often they can get on the court.