Henrico opens new pickleball courts in Sandston after more community demand

Henrico County opened four new pickleball courts at Elko Recreation Area in Sandston July 7, bringing the total number of pickleball courts operated by the county to 44 as the sport gains more popularity.

County officials celebrated the new courts with a ceremonial “first serve” at the park, which is located in the Varina District. The project cost about $400,000, with the county able to create the new courts by converting two underutilized tennis courts, said Henrico Recreation and Parks Director John Zannino.

“We already had existing tennis courts that were not being utilized by the community, so it was cheaper because we already had some infrastructure,” he said. “We didn’t have to start from scratch.”

During the past few years, interest in pickleball has grown across Henrico, but Zannino said he has also seen more demand specifically in the Varina District. Pickleball courts already exist at Sandston Recreation Area and The Springs Recreation Center in Highland Springs, but residents near Elko wanted courts closer to their community.

“Countywide, we’re seeing demand. But we have seen particular demand out in the East End,” said Zannino. “We also were receiving some feedback from the community out in Varina and in that area about wanting pickleball courts that were closer.”

Henrico’s first pickleball courts opened at Sandston about 10 years ago, but demand has spiked more recently. Nationwide, participation in the sport has increased by more than 300% in the last three years. With the new courts at Elko, the Varina District now has 16 pickleball courts – the second highest number in the county, trailing only the Three Chopt District.

The new pickleball courts at Elko Recreation Area in Sandston. (Courtesy Henrico County)

“Everywhere that we have put them, they get used,” Zannino said. “Even the ones out at Pouncey Tract Park, we doubled the amount of courts out there. And you go out there and all 24 courts are full.”

Zannino said that while no future pickleball courts in the county are officially planned, Henrico will consider adding more courts if community demand continues to increase.

“We are exploring similar projects where we may have some underutilized hard court areas throughout the county,” he said. “So I think it’s safe to say that probably in the near future, we will look to do similar projects.”

Liana Hardy is the Citizen’s government and education reporter. Support her work and articles like this one by making a contribution to the Citizen.