Other Sports Facility Development

Eugene will soon be home to a dedicated indoor/outdoor pickleball-exclusive facility built for year-round competitions. 

According to Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA), pickleball has continued to be the fastest growing sport in the United States in 2023 for the third consecutive year. 

With such a fast-growing, popular sport, it seems like there would be the appropriate facilities in communities like Eugene, Bend and Portland, but most pickleball facilities are either outdoor tennis courts that have been repainted to support pickleball or indoor tennis courts that are temporarily restriped for a game or two. Adding another barrier for users, many of these facilities require athletes to bring their own nets. 

This is why the Emerald Valley Pickleball Foundation—a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 2021—is currently raising funds for a pickleball facility fit to host both recreational play and high caliber competitions. The facility would be open to the public and be able to host drop-in play, leagues, clinics, lessons and tournaments. 

This Regional Pickleball Complex would be located on the campus of Lane Community College, and it would feature 24 courts—seven more than any major pickleball events facility in the Pacific Northwest. Two of the courts would be designated championships courts with bleachers for spectators and 10 of the courts will be covered. In addition, all 24 courts would be lit for early morning and late night pickleball sessions. The source of electricity for the complex will come directly from solar panels. The complex will be built with proper dimensions, signage and markings for wheelchair accessibility.

Oregon communities like Bend and Beaverton host regional pickleball events, but athletes find themselves having to bounce back and forth between two or three court locations throughout the competition. While these communities have been successful in hosting pickleball competitions like the Pacific Northwest Diamond Regional and the Pacific Northwest Classic, the Regional Pickleball Complex being built in Eugene could easily host similar regional and even national events at one venue.

By having the pickleball complex at Lane Community College, the courts will be located just off Interstate 5 and not be nestled  in a neighborhood like most of the county’s existing  pickleball courts. Due to the social nature of the sport and noise from the paddles and balls, many residents who live by pickleball courts become disgruntled by the noise. 

The Emerald Valley Pickleball Foundation hopes to break ground in May 2025 and complete construction in the fall of 2025. The project's fundraising goal is $5 million, which will come from both public and private funds, and they hope to have most of the funds raised by the end of 2024. 

Dexter Reservoir

Emerald Valley BMX

Local BMX track Emerald Valley BMX hosts multiple events every year for all ages and skill levels. In 2023, Emerald Valley BMX hosted the USA BMX Lumberjack Nationals and the event brought in over $1.6 million in estimated economic impact to the region and the event returned in 2024. Emerald Valley BMX is looking to raise $50,000 for new bleachers. 

The Rink Exchange

The University of Oregon Club Hockey Team, the Eugene Figure Skating Club, the Eugene Generals, Junior Generals and RHL Adult Hockey League are just some of the clubs using the Rink Exchange ice arena throughout the year at Lane Events Center. Since 2010, Hockey Oregon, LLC has operated the arena with Lane County. The arena is in need of a new sheet of ice and cooling system that will cost an estimated $500,000. Hockey Oregon has taken the initiative to start a 501(c)3 to raise funds for the project and will manage the construction expected to be completed by late summer. 

Lane Events Center Expo Halls

Webfoot—one of the few elite volleyball clubs in the region—practices on recycled hardwood gymnasium floors in Expo Halls at the Lane Events Center. For the facility to keep up with the talent and future of the club, the floors (among other operational functions of the building) need to be replaced. Costs are to be determined. Lane Events Center is currently undergoing a master planning process.

Let's Build It!

Sports tourism generates millions of dollars every year to the county economy and smart investments in sports facilities and infrastructure will help area athletes and families as well as drive economic impact well into the future. New facilities that support year-round competitions and tournaments will help boost the economy in the winter months when it is most needed by hotels and restaurants. Year-round hotel demand will encourage further hotel development that will help with compression in the summer.