A semi-professional pickleball player wants to open a new pickleball facility in Bellingham.
Marcel Zuzarte, the owner of Pickleball Acre LLC, is proposing building a 40,000-square-foot steel warehouse at the airport industrial park area that would house 17 indoor and eight outdoor pickleball courts. He told commissioners that the facility — potentially one of the largest pickleball facilities in the Pacific Northwest — would be an economic draw for large tournaments.
Port of Bellingham commissioners however must approve the 2.56 acres of land near Williamson Way for the project that would be leased for 40 years, according to the contract.
If he’s able to build the indoor recreation space, Zuzarte, who’s been playing pickleball professionally for three years, is hoping to make it free to children under 18 who want to develop pickleball skills. Adult memberships and drop-in fees would be the main revenue basis.
“These days a lot of sports are only accessible to people who have deeper pockets, especially at the higher level,” he said. “I felt the need for a facility where kids can come in, especially in the winter because it’s nasty out there, and have a place to hang out and if they choose to take on the sport, develop it.”
During the commission meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 19, commissioners seemed hesitant on the length of the lease and the area.
“I’m concerned with the term, quite frankly, of 40 years,” said commission member Ken Bell. “I’m not sure how long pickleball is going to be a fad. I consider it a fad today.”
Commission member Michael Shepard was wary of taking away space that could be used for the aeronautical industry.
However, Elliot Smith, the director of real estate and asset management at the Port of Bellingham, said that the land parcel has been difficult to develop for the last 20 years because of wetland issues.
The land parcel also isn’t connected to the runway via taxiway at the airport and is inaccessible for helicopters and planes because of a steep bank and trees, said Rob Fix, the port’s executive director.
“It’s not going to really lend itself to an aeronautical use,” Fix said. “Our thinking on this was more industrial warehouse, getting that built there and in place.”
Zuzarte assured commissioners that his $2.5 million warehouse could be converted into industrial use if the pickleball venture didn’t work out, but added the sport use could be good for the economy.
The largest pickleball tournaments bring in upward of 2,500 players, meaning a large tournament in Bellingham would have players flying into Bellingham International Airport and staying at local hotels, he said.
“I’ve talked to all the major players involved in this sport who offer these tournaments nationwide and they are very excited to finally have something in the state of Washington,” Zuzarte said.
If commissioners approve the lease contract in December, Zuzarte hopes to have shovels in the ground starting in the spring so that the facility can open in the fall of 2025.
At least eight indoor recreational courts in Whatcom County offer pickleball. Skagit County has a large pickleball facility at the Blackburn Pickleball Pavilion at Skagit Valley College.
Bellingham residents have been vocal about their desire for additional indoor recreation facilities, with a focus on aquatic and ice space.
CDN has special project reporting ongoing on the topic of adding indoor recreation options to Bellingham. Read stories here.
Annie Todd is CDN’s criminal justice/enterprise reporter; reach her at annietodd@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 130.
