Corpus Christi residents oppose tennis court conversion for pickleball demand

A plan to convert more courts at Al Kruse Tennis Center into pickleball courts drew pushback from Corpus Christi residents and tennis players, who said the move would leave only four tennis courts and make league play harder to schedule.

The dispute came to a head at a community meeting Wednesday evening at the Lindale Senior Center, where Parks and Recreation Director Robert Dodd heard concerns from players worried about losing court space at one of the city’s busiest recreation sites. Organizers said several courts had already been switched to pickleball, and opponents argued the next round of changes would come at the expense of tennis access.

Corpus Christi Parks and Recreation says the city offers pickleball at its two full-service tennis centers, Al Kruse Tennis Center at 502 King St. and H-E-B Tennis Center, along with four open-play courts in city parks. City visitor materials describe Al Kruse as having 10 dedicated pickleball courts and 7 lighted tennis courts, a setup that has helped turn the complex into a regional draw for amateur play and tournament traffic.

The demand is real. In June 2023, Al Kruse director Ron Elizondo said there were about 300 to 400 pickleball players active around Corpus Christi and described the facility as full every day. He said the sport was growing fast enough that more facilities would be needed, and that players often had to reserve courts two or three days, sometimes a full week, in advance. “I think we have about 300 to 400 players playing around the city. I mean, this facility is full every day,” Elizondo said.

That pressure is now colliding with tennis, where opponents say a reduced court count would make league play difficult. The city’s pickleball push has already reshaped Al Kruse, which tournament listings call Corpus Christi’s premier pickleball facility and which hosted the Corpus Classic on April 18 and 19, 2026. The venue still has a dual role, serving both competitive events and daily drop-in play, but the latest fight shows how the city’s limited recreational footprint is forcing a choice between expanding one fast-growing sport and preserving another’s access.