Dayton Mason leads drills with players at Dink Tank Pickleball Club in Phoenix.

Professional and national-level pickleball tournaments may be coming to the Rogue Valley as several organizations pursue development of a 19-court setup next to Rogue X in Medford.

Nonprofit Howard Memorial Sports Park Inc., the city of Medford, Southern Oregon Pickleball Association and the Southern Oregon Pickleball Foundation will partner to create the state-of-the-art facility. A fund drive to raise $2 million is underway and has commitments of $800,000 already.

“When this gets put in, it will be the biggest outdoor facility in Oregon, I believe,” said DeAnn Winter, president of both the pickleball foundation and the association. “Beyond bringing in tournaments, this will a really be a benefit for the people in the community.”

The city will contribute towards the park’s construction, but an amount has not yet been budgeted, said Rich Rosenthal, Medford Parks, Recreation and Facilities director. In addition, Howard Memorial Sports Park, Inc. will also contribute, said Rosenthal, who serves as president of that group.

About two of the 60 acres in the park would be used for the pickleball setup. Rogue X occupies 27 acres along Rossanley Drive and North Ross Lane. The location will take advantage of nearby restrooms and parking located at Rogue X.

Planning was a joint effort by the city and SOPA board members. A site plan was created by city designer Kim Trimiew, while Medford-based Marquess and Associates has also been involved in the process.

During phase two, the project would see coverings put over the court to allow play during inclement weather and hot summer days. While the courts would not be enclosed, coverings would allow year-round play with the area’s relatively mild climate, Winter said.

“There’s room to grow a little bit if that is needed to attract the national tournaments,” said Rosenthal.

There would be one championship court where grandstands could be placed. All the courts would be lighted, which would allow for play in the early morning or nighttime. Amenities under consideration include additional restrooms, water fountains, benches and shade structures.

SOPA has been in touch with the USA Pickleball to ensure that the facility will meet requirements for tournament and professional play. Two professional groups — the Association of Pickleball Players and the Professional Pickleball Association — run events around the county. There is also a team competition league.

While the foundation will fundraise for the project, the courts would be owned by the Howard Memorial Sports Park, Inc., which will coordinate construction. Management would be handled by the City of Medford.

The park land was left by the late Wes Howard to benefit children and families in Medford. Howard Memorial Sports Park, Inc. was formed in 2003 to carry out his wishes.

“Donating the land to use is a huge, positive first step to get going,” said Winter. The pickleball foundation is spearheading the fundraising. Sponsorship opportunities are available. Donations can be made at sopickleballfoundation.org.

An annual tournament hosted by SOPA brings in about 300 players each summer for a four-day period. The organizers must tape court lines on tennis courts at the Fichtner-Mainwaring Park to accommodate the play, said Winter.

“We bring in folks from Northern California, even up to Seattle,” said Winter. “Often you get folks from somewhere else in the U.S. who have families here.”

The new park could accommodate 300 players for a four-day tournament, said Winter. Tournaments with more players usually add additional days, she said.

Other pickleball courts in the valley

In other local pickleball developments, two private, indoor facilities are now in operation. Pickleball Heights, located at 5885 Crater Lake Highway in Central Point, opened in October. Dink Tank Pickleball Club, 301 Grove Road, Suite G in Phoenix, opened in April.

League play began last week at Pickleball Heights. The facility has four indoor doubles courts and two singles courts. Members can play on the courts for two hours per day, said co-owner Stephen Weymouth. Non-members can drop in to play for $10 per hour. Memberships start at $99 per month for adults.

Owners refurbished an existing building with amenities designed for pickleball. Multiple skylights were put in to provide natural lighting during daytime hours. The walls are covered with a windscreen fabric to reduce sound, which can be accentuated in an indoor facility.

A cushioned floor was created with eight layers, including several made of rubberized materials and polymers.

“What it does is it allows some give, in terms of the surface,” said Weymouth. It decreases impact and helps players recover faster.

Dink Tank Pickleball Club is so busy that it is looking to add more courts, said Dayton Mason, chief executive officer and instructor. The facility is targeted toward players who want to increase their skill level through lessons, training sessions, open play and challenges.

Lighting has been optimized with non-glare LEDs and a proprietary cushioned floor, which allows participants to play for longer times, Mason said. There are currently two doubles courts.

Membership fees begin at $49 per month and each level includes varying amounts of court time and other benefits. Drop-in fee play is $12 per hour (reservations recommended).

A recovery center features a red-light therapy room, vibrating rollers, vibration plate, massage guns, weight sets and more.