Pickleball Opening Date Set

The sounds of smashes, serves and general camaraderie will be emanating from underneath Boca Raton's first covered public pickleball courts in less than a month.

Greater Boca Raton Beach and Park District Commissioners invite the Boca Raton community to join them on Oct. 22 at 5 p.m. for the opening of Patch Reef Park's covered pickleball complex.

Commissioners and other dignitaries will cut the ceremonial ribbon, opening Patch Reef Park's 18 covered pickleball courts for play.

“Our community came to us requesting a pickleball facility where they could play rain or shine,” District chair Erin Wright said. “We are proud to have created one of the finest pickleball facilities in Florida.”

The ribbon-cutting ceremony will feature giveaways and other surprises. Following the ribbon cutting, Patch Reef's pickleball pros will conduct a free clinic. Courts will also be available for open play following the ceremony free of charge for the remainder of the day.

The new facility is located at the southern end of the park, adjacent to the current tennis facility. The imminent opening of the covered courts prompted the renaming of the Patch Reef Tennis Center to Patch Reef Paddle and Racquet Club.

Two of the facility's new 18 courts are ADA compliant. The facility also includes lighting, a sound system, bleacher and table seating, ceiling fans, water, ice and additional parking.

CSR Construction began work on the covered pickleball facility a little more than a year ago. Following the opening crews will begin a scheduled rebuild of the existing Patch Reef tennis and pickleball courts, beginning with the current outdoor pickleball courts.

The rebuild will be conducted in phases allowing Patch Reef to always have some pickleball and tennis courts available throughout construction.

Located on Yamato Rd., west of Military Tr., Patch Reef Park opened in 1983. Its tennis center opened in 1987.