Rancho Mirage Expands Pickleball Facilities to Meet Growing Demand

The unmistakable pop of pickleball paddles is being heard more than ever in Rancho Mirage, where the sport’s booming popularity has led to a surge in local demand for playing space and amenities.

Recognizing the need, the City of Rancho Mirage has stepped up to serve the community with recent expansions at its pickleball courts, including 2,000 square feet of additional seating space. The improvements follow the addition of eight new courts—an effort that still couldn’t keep up with the growing number of players flocking to the sport.

“Pickleball has just exploded here in Rancho Mirage. You just can’t get enough court sometimes,” said Ian Lassley, Assistant Public Works Director for the City. “When we added the eight courts, we quickly discovered there wasn’t enough space for all the people that were coming to play. So we developed a plan and implemented it.”

Players and spectators alike are already noticing the benefits.

“I think it’s great,” said one local player. “It gives people a place to wait to play and watch at the same time. Great seating. The city did a great job making this happen.”

The new seating not only eases congestion on the courts but also enhances the sense of community among players, offering a place to relax, hydrate, and socialize between games.

“This adds more of a community feel,” said Lassley. “People can sit down, chit-chat about their games, and have a comfortable place to enjoy the environment.”

Next on the city’s project list: installing a shade structure over the seating area to make the courts more usable throughout the year, especially during the hot desert summers.

With pickleball showing no signs of slowing down, Rancho Mirage is setting an example of how cities can adapt and grow with their communities' evolving recreational needs.