Regional Pickleball Complex at
Lane Community College
Project Updates
A running record of progress on the Regional Pickleball Complex — posted every quarter, and sooner when there’s news. This project has been moving since 2021; here’s the trail.
ON THE HORIZON
August 6: Annual Fundraising Dinner & Casino Night at LCC — tickets on sale now · Fall 2026: major grant decisions expected ·
Mar–Apr 2027: go/no-go funding decision · May 2027: targeted groundbreaking
2026
JULY 2026
CONSTRUCTION
Back at the Table with LCC — Planning for a May 2027 Groundbreaking
In late June, Foundation representatives met with Lane Community College leadership to map the path to groundbreaking. The joint planning group that guided the facility’s design phase is being reconvened, and LCC has approved placing a “future site of” sign at the complex location ahead of construction — watch for it on campus in the coming months. The construction site has also been cleared of staging and is ready.
We’re working with local contractors on ways to reduce construction costs, so every donated dollar goes further.
JUNE 2026
EVENT
Memorial Day Tournament: 145 Players, One Slogan
Our Memorial Day tournament drew 145 participants, with custom socks carrying the campaign’s rallying cry: “Dream it, Build it, 0-0-2.” The tournament raised more that $14,000 for the complex. Thank you to every player, volunteer, and sponsor.
APRIL 2026
CONSTRUCTION
Groundbreaking Moves to May 2027
The funds needed to start construction weren’t in the bank by our March–April decision point, and the board made the call to move groundbreaking to May 2027 rather than start a project we couldn’t finish. This was as disappointing for us as it was for everyone excited to play at the new complex.
The good news: since then, we are in discussion with major donors that are very promising and significant grant decisions are expected this fall.
JANUARY 2026
CONSTRUCTION
Two Big Permits Down, One to Go
The project secured its Site Review approval from Lane County and its Stormwater Permit from the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, with Cameron McCarthy completing the 100% construction documents. Only the final construction permit remained — the project was, in every practical sense, permit-ready.
SPRING 2026
FUNDING
Two-Thirds of Courts Now Have Sponsors
2025
LATE 2025
CONSTRUCTION
Permit-Ready: Design Locked, Site Review Approved
Working with Cameron McCarthy, the team refined the design to current USA Pickleball court standards — 24 courts, two championship courts, and four more meeting wheelchair-play guidelines, all tournament-capable. Lane County approved the key Site Review permit, and in December the Foundation obtained updated cost estimates through competitive bidding — leaving the project positioned to move toward construction.
LATE 2025
FUNDING
$468,000 Raised, and a Stronger Organization
The community contributed more than $468,000 in private gifts, grants, and event proceeds over the year, from new court and bench sponsors to the summer dinner and the matching challenge. The board also adopted a three-year strategic plan and a board-recruitment plan — investing in the governance to carry a multi-million-dollar project across the finish line.
AUGUST 7, 2025
EVENT
Second Annual Fundraising Dinner Raises More Than $93,000
Over 200 guests filled our dinner and auction at LCC, welcomed by LCC President Dr. Stephanie Bulger and Board of Education Chair Austin Folnagey, and powered by title sponsor Marie Jones and sponsors including KVAL-TV and Country Financial. Together they raised more than $93,000 toward the complex — our biggest fundraiser yet.
SUMMER 2025
FUNDING
The Summer of Love-ing Pickleball: a $100,000 Match, Fully Unlocked
In June, board member Roger Schaljo and his wife Janise Augur pledged to match up to $100,000 in gifts made during June and July. The community rose to it — raising just over $100,000 by July 31 and unlocking the entire match. A vivid reminder that when donors lead, others follow.
SPRING, 2025
COMMUNITY
Pickleball For All: Introducing the Next Generation
Over spring break, Foundation volunteers partnered with Oregon Blacks for Youth and Families to introduce elementary students to pickleball — playing in a gym on taped court lines, for lack of available courts. The joy on display was its own argument for why accessible public courts matter.
SPRING 2025
FUNDING
A National Vote of Confidence: USA Pickleball’s $50,000 Grant
USA Pickleball, the sport’s national governing body, selected the Foundation as one of only two organizations in the country to receive a Play It Forward Court Grant — a $50,000 award toward construction. Beyond the funding, it deepened a partnership to bring large regional tournaments to Lane County, and put national validation behind the project.
JANUARY 2025
CONSTRUCTION
A Principled Decision: Construction Waits for Full Funding
With detailed Phase 1 cost estimates in hand, the board voted unanimously to delay construction until every dollar needed to complete Phase 1 was secured — establishing the funds-in-the-bank policy that governs the project’s timing to this day. Building on public land with community money means we don’t start what we can’t finish. The same month, the Foundation adopted a formal 2025 fundraising plan and strategic plan.
2024
AUGUST 8, 2024
EVENT
The First “Pickleball for All” Dinner Raises $75,000
Two hundred guests turned out for the inaugural Fundraising Dinner and Auction on the LCC campus, raising $75,000 for the capital campaign — the debut of what has become the Foundation’s signature annual event.
SUMMER 2024
FUNDING
A Breakout Fundraising Year: $986,000 from 538 Donors
The community pledged and gave more than $986,000 toward construction in 2024 — from 538 individual donors, plus grants, events, and eight named sponsors who claimed courts and the water-filling station. The year’s gifts included a single anonymous $500,000 pledge, the campaign’s largest to date.
SUMMER 2024
FUNDING
Public Partners Commit: $750,000 from the City, on Top of the County and LCC’s Land
The Eugene City Council approved adding the complex to its Parks SDC project list, resulting in a $750,000 contract toward construction — on top of the $500,000 previously allocated by Lane County and Lane Community College’s contribution of the land itself, valued at $948,000. That fall, the Foundation joined other local projects to form the CoRAA coalition to jointly request state funding.
MARCH 2024
FUNDING
Travel Lane County’s First-Ever Charitable Gift: $50,000
The region’s tourism organization chose the complex as the very first gift from its new charitable fund — becoming the project’s first Founding Sponsor, with a permanent named court. “We are thrilled to have Travel Lane County as a partner,” said Foundation board member Eric Wold, noting the complex will be both a place for locals to play and a draw for tournament visitors. Travel Lane County’s own impact study estimated a single large regional tournament could generate roughly $1.5 million in local lodging, restaurant, and entertainment spending.
EARLY 2024
CONSTRUCTION
Design Team Hired, Geotechnical Report Complete
After a competitive RFP process run jointly with LCC and scored by a five-person committee, Eugene’s Cameron McCarthy was selected to design and engineer the complex — rated highest by all five reviewers. Earth Engineers completed the geotechnical report, and the Foundation adopted its mission statement: “To advance the sport of pickleball in Lane County by increasing access to facilities and educational programs.”
2023
2023
FUNDING
The Private Campaign Launches — and the First Gifts Arrive
With a goal of $2.5 million in private support, the board brought on a development consultant, formed a Capital Campaign Cabinet, and began cultivating major donors. Early in the year, a passionate private donor made the very first gift to get the project rolling. And in November, an anonymous donor challenged the Club to unlock a $10,000 match — members responded by raising $17,319 on top of it.
2023
FUNDING
Making the Case to the City of Eugene
After meetings with City executives, the Mayor, and City Councilors, the Foundation made a formal request for a $750,000 allocation of Parks System Development Charges — the groundwork for the public commitment that would follow in 2024.
2023
CONSTRUCTION
Refining the Design, and Monthly Meetings with LCC
The year translated the early vision into specific design elements, construction plans, and cost estimates. The team began monthly meetings with LCC’s facilities staff to work through power, water, restrooms, and construction contracting — with the geotechnical survey and architect selection teed up for early 2024.
2023
COMMUNITY
Building the Volunteer Engine
The board created a Volunteer Coordinator role, welcoming Lyn Gilman-Garrick, and brought on more than 40 new volunteers to serve on committees and the Campaign Cabinet — alongside a wave of news coverage and regular email updates that grew community awareness of the project.
2022
JUNE 15, 2022
MILESTONE
It’s Official: The Region’s Largest Pickleball Complex is Announced
The Foundation, the Emerald Valley Pickleball Club, and Lane Community College publicly announced plans to build the region’s largest pickleball complex — roughly 24 courts with lighting, restrooms, and storage, on LCC land near 30th Avenue and Eldon Schafer Drive. “This is such an important milestone for our community,” said Foundation President Alicia Hays at the announcement. The project grew out of a local club that had swelled from 45 founding members in 2015 to nearly 900 — with thousands more playing across the Eugene-Springfield area.
FALL 2022
FUNDING
Voters Deliver the First Major Win: $500,000
Lane County voters approved the Parks Levy, which included $500,000 toward the Regional Pickleball Complex — the project’s first major public funding, and an early signal of community support for a public facility at LCC.
JUNE 2022
MILESTONE
The Agreement That Made it Possible
The three partners signed the agreement with LCC clearing the way for a state-of-the-art regional complex on the college campus — jointly funded by public and private dollars, with the Foundation leading the fundraising. “We are thrilled to welcome pickleball to Lane Community College,” said Lisa Fragala, chair of the LCC Board of Education.
2021
DECEMBER 2021
MILESTONE
Where It All Started: The Foundation is Born
The Emerald Valley Pickleball Foundation was established as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, formed by a founding board to raise funds for expanding pickleball facilities and programs across the region. Everything that followed — the LCC partnership, the design, the millions raised — began here.
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