Amazing New Courts Could Solve NoCo Pickleball Player Problems

Northern Colorado pickleball players could score more places to play as two Fort Collins projects rally to build two complexes.

Anyone who has tried to play pickleball in Northern Colorado knows the challenge of overflowing courts and those that just aren’t made for pickleball play.

But don’t ready your court shoes just yet. The soonest new courts will open is late next summer.

Zero Zero Two, an indoor-outdoor project planned by a pair of local pickleball enthusiasts, would bring 11 indoor courts and six outdoor courts to southeast Fort Collins near Harmony and Timberline.

Meanwhile, the city recently held an open house to present and get feedback on conceptual plans for a 12-court pickleball complex in Fort Collins. The preferred location is the south-central Fossil Creek Community Park near Lemay and Fossil Creek Parkway.

Professional/Public Pickleball Play Proposal in Fort Collins

“The best thing about pickleball is how it brings people together. And that's our vision,” said Zero Zero Two managing partner Michael Zervas.

Zervas and partner Neil Bellefeuille are serial entrepreneurs and pickleball players who got the seed of the idea after driving by the vacant building at 4401 Innovation Drive. The project came into play after they volleyed ideas back and forth and then pitched the vision to the building owner, who is now investing as well.

The Zero Zero Two complex vision by the numbers

• 36,000 square feet, including a 3,000-square-foot multiuse mezzanine for meetings and gatherings.
• 11 indoor courts.
• 6 outdoor courts.
• Outdoor surfaces throughout.
• Courts meeting or exceeding Professional Pickleball Association guidelines for space between and behind the courts.
• Pro shop.
• Food and beverage.
• Regional and national tournaments.

While building courts that could attract tournaments, Zervas says he and his partners are focused on using pickleball as a conduit to community.

Access will range from sponsored play time to court rentals to tiered memberships. They want to make pickleball accessible for newcomers, those who might not be able to afford it to daily competitive players.

Zero Zero Two has started the Fort Collins permitting process and could envision expanding to Loveland and other Northern Colorado cities.

Fort Collins Pickleball Park Project

The city of Fort Collins in the middle of a multistep pickleball analysis funded by a Fort Collins Pickleball Club donation. The study reviews interest and locations and seeks public feedback.

The preferred Fossil Creek plan would fulfill short-term needs until future parks can be built. The city is seeking pickleball proposal feedback online through Sept. 30.

Fossil Creek Community Park Pickleball Proposal by the Numbers

• 12 Recreational courts, with 8-foot alleys for intercourt access.
• Two tournament courts.
• Attract small to medium-size tournaments.
• Noise mitigation on 8-foot perimeter fencing.
• Benches and shade structures.
• Estimated $3.5 million to $4 million to build.

If selected to advance, the city and pickleball groups would plan and begin fundraising.