TIMELINE
When will you break ground?
We’ll break ground once we’ve secured the minimum level of funds needed to start — and finish — construction. Those funds need to be in hand by March or April, so building can begin in the spring and wrap up before winter. It’s been three years since the Foundation began raising money to build the Regional Pickleball Complex, and we’re now getting very close to announcing a firm date. The moment that funding threshold is met, we’ll set the date and share it widely.
Why has groundbreaking been postponed twice?
Because the money wasn’t in the bank — and we won’t start what we can’t finish. This complex is being built on public land owned by Lane Community College, funded by community donations and government funding. Our board’s commitment is simple: no construction begins until the funds to complete it are secured, and we will not borrow against a public facility. In both 2025 and 2026, fundraising hadn’t reached that threshold by the March–April decision point, so we made the responsible call to wait.
Since then, momentum has grown — we’re in promising conversations with major donors, and significant grant decisions are expected this fall.
Other pickleball complexes around Oregon have gone up faster. Why is this one taking so long?
Almost all of those are private facilities on private land. Ours is different, and three things add time on purpose.
The funding has to be in place first. We don’t start construction until the minimum needed to finish it is secured — and we won’t borrow against a public facility. Raising that in community gifts simply takes longer than signing a loan.
It’s a big, built-to-last project. This is 24 state-of-the-art courts on the Lane Community College campus. The site itself has to be shaped first — leveling the grade takes a large amount of imported fill and earthwork before a single court can be poured — and the courts are built with post-tensioned concrete, the premium surface that lasts for decades. Doing it right takes longer than doing it fast. By comparison, resurfacing an existing tennis court or building on ground that’s already flat and prepared skips nearly all of that site work — which is why those projects go up so much faster than one built from raw land like ours.
It’s on public land. Building on state-owned land means additional due diligence, public-agency permitting and review, and a formal agreement governing how the facility is used and named. Those steps protect the public’s interest, and we follow them.
Once complete, the Regional Pickleball Complex at LCC will be one of the largest pickleball venues in the Pacific Northwest — able to host major tournaments as well as everyday local play.
What has actually been accomplished so far?
More than is visible from the road:
• The partnership with LCC is signed. The agreement was signed in 2022, and LCC is contributing the land itself — valued at roughly $948,000.
• The design is done. Architectural drawings, engineering plans, and the Site Review permit are complete, built to current USA Pickleball standards with Cameron McCarthy — the final construction permit is the remaining step.
• Public and private partners have committed real money. $750,000 from the City of Eugene and $500,000 from Lane County, and in 2025 USA Pickleball chose us as one of just two organizations nationwide to receive a Play It Forward court grant.
• Two-thirds of the 24 courts already have sponsors, and we’re working with local contractors to reduce construction costs so every donated dollar goes further.
Is Lane Community College still committed to the project?
Yes. Foundation representatives met with LCC leadership in June 2026 to plan the path to groundbreaking, and the joint planning group that guided the design phase is being reconvened. LCC has also approved placing a “future site of” sign at the location ahead of construction.
FUNDING
How much has been raised, and how much is needed to start construction?
Our fundraising goal for the complex is $6.9 million. As of June 30, 2026, $2.04 million is secured and in the bank. Several more significant gifts and grant requests are in the works — but because we only count funds once an agreement is signed, each will appear here as it’s finalized, not before. Construction can begin once the full amount needed to finish the complex is secured, and that’s the threshold we’re raising toward now. We update these figures here every two months.
Where is the money right now, and who manages it?
Safe, liquid, and protected. The funds raised for the complex are held with Sapient — a well-regarded investment firm — in ultra-safe short-term CDs and U.S. Treasuries. That’s a deliberate choice: the priority is protecting donors’ dollars and keeping them ready to deploy the day construction starts, not chasing high returns. Every dollar is held solely for building the complex.
Will the complex be built all at once, or in phases?
Ideally, all at once — it’s the most cost-effective way to build. If fundraising falls short of the full goal, the project gets phased, not cancelled: a Phase 1 would open at least 14 courts first — along with parking and site access — and the remaining courts and covered structure would follow as funds are raised. Building in two stages costs more overall, though: crews and equipment have to mobilize twice, and the later courts get built at future, higher prices — which is why finishing the campaign now saves donor money.
Can I see the Foundation's financials?
Yes. The Emerald Valley Pickleball Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and our annual IRS Form 990 filings are public record. You can look them up by name or EIN through the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search. We file every year, on time — the 2025 return simply hasn’t been posted by the IRS yet.
Who oversees the money donated to the project?
A volunteer board of directors, supported by a Financial Oversight Committee dedicated to transparency, integrity, and accountability. Funds raised for the complex are held solely for that purpose, the board reviews financial statements monthly, a CPA prepares the Foundation’s tax returns each year, and no board member is compensated. Donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Why don't you announce every donation or pledge?
Two reasons, both about being responsible with your trust. First, we only announce funds once an agreement is signed — treating a gift as final before it’s documented wouldn’t be fair to the donor or to you. Second, some donors generously give on the condition that they remain anonymous, and we honor that completely. So there may be real momentum behind the scenes that we can’t yet name — but every confirmed dollar shows up in the totals we report here.
How much are tickets, and where do I get them?
Because it’s a fundraiser first and a party second. Your ticket covers dinner, drinks, and the evening’s casino play, and our event sponsors underwrite much of the cost so that as much ticket revenue as possible goes straight to the complex. You can reserve your seat and see the current ticket options here. If the ticket price is a stretch, every gift of any size moves the project forward, and volunteering at the event is free.
ABOUT THE COMPLEX
Why is this complex needed?
The popularity of pickleball is exploding locally and across the country, and a new facility is needed to meet current and future needs. There are currently not enough courts available in the Eugene-Springfield area to accommodate all the people who currently want to play. In addition, the limited existing facilities are not in satisfactory condition, and none have adequate parking or associated infrastructure for the existing demand. Furthermore, the existing facilities are too small to accommodate tournaments, leagues, or clinics.
Where will the complex be located?
On the campus of Lane Community College (LCC), immediately to the east of the baseball field near the intersection of 30th Avenue and Eldon Schafer Drive. The campus address is 4000 East 30th Ave, Eugene, Oregon 97405.
Why is this a great location?
There are many reasons why Lane Community College is a great location for the complex: it is easily accessible from I-5 (exit 189); there is extensive parking already available; there is public transportation to LCC; and this location allows our community to meet the needs of existing and future pickleball players without putting stress on any of our neighborhood parks. The complex will be part of the existing sports complex at LCC, a minimum of 1,400 feet from residential neighborhoods — so noise generated by the complex will not disturb residents.
How many courts will there be, and will they be lighted or covered?
The complex is designed for 24 total courts, including two championship courts for hosting local and regional tournaments. Four additional courts are sized to meet wheelchair-play guidelines, and all 24 are configured to support tournament-level competition. Courts will be lighted for early-morning and evening play, and at least 10 will be covered so play can continue through the rainy season.
What other features will the complex have?
Amenities we are considering include restrooms, water fountains, benches, a storage facility, shade structures, bicycle parking, and a practice wall. The facility will be designed to be ADA accessible, including parking for people with disabilities and wide gates to allow easy access to the courts for people using sports wheelchairs.
Will it cost anything to play?
Four of the complex’s 24 courts will always be free and open to the public — anyone can play on them at no charge. The other 20 are for members of the Emerald Valley Pickleball Club, included with their membership. Club dues help keep the complex running and well-maintained, and are set to be reasonable and community-minded.
Who will own the complex, and will it be open to the public?
The facility will be owned by Lane Community College and open to the public. Four of the 24 courts will always be free for anyone to play. The other 20 are for members of the Emerald Valley Pickleball Club as part of their membership — the dues that help operate and maintain the complex.
Who will operate and manage the complex?
Management and operation of the facility will be done by the Emerald Valley Pickleball Club. Funding for maintenance of the facility will be coordinated among the Emerald Valley Pickleball Club and the Emerald Valley Pickleball Foundation.
Will there be tournaments at the complex?
Yes. As the managers of the complex, the Emerald Valley Pickleball Club will be hosting tournaments itself. The Club will also co-sponsor or rent the venue for large regional and national tournaments, which will have a positive economic impact on our community.
GET INVOLVED
How can I help?
Contribute on our Donate page — every gift of any size moves the project forward. Sponsor a court, with your name or business painted on the court surface itself (one-third are still available). Attend or volunteer at the annual Fundraising Dinner. And if you know of potential donors — a business or foundation that should hear about the project — please let us know.
How will I know when something happens?
We publish a project update every quarter — sooner when there’s major news — on our Updates page and by email. To get them in your inbox, sign up at the bottom of this page.